CD4+ T cell responses in patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing peginterferon/ribavirin therapy correlate with faster, but not sustained, viral clearance.

T cell immune responses may be important for the elimination of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during antiviral treatment. In the present study, the kinetics of T cell responses to HCV antigens (NS3-4 and core) were prospectively assessed and were correlated with virologic outcome in 31 patients with chronic HCV infection undergoing peginterferon- alpha 2a/ribavirin therapy. NS3-4--directed T helper cell type 1 (Th1) responses were detected in 77% of patients with a significant decline in viremia at treatment week 4 but were not detected not in those with a slower viral decline.

Prospective study of viral clearance and CD4(+) T-cell response in acute hepatitis C primary infection and reinfection.

Background: The outcome of acute hepatitis C is determined by early host-virus interactions, particularly involving the antiviral T-cell response.

Objectives: To identify early prognostic markers of spontaneous resolution of acute hepatitis C by performing a comprehensive analysis of viral and immunological factors during the natural course of acute HCV infection and reinfection.

Study Design: 20 patients were investigated prospectively during acute HC or confirmed reinfection and 18 of them during follow up after spontaneous or treatment-induced elimination of the virus and resolution of the disease.