Quasispecies analysis in hepatitis C virus infection by fluorescent single strand conformation polymorphism.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) results frequently in chronic hepatitis and its sequelae liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferon-alpha is at present the most effective treatment, resulting in a sustained response in about 20-25% of patients. HCV genotype, titer and quasispecies determine the success of treatment.

Immunosuppressive therapy and hepatitis C virus infection: the clinical course of liver disease.

In a retrospective long-term follow-up study the clinical course of liver disease was examined in renal allograft recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and negative hepatitis B surface antigen under immunosuppressive therapy. We compared 42 anti-HCV antibody (anti-HCV) positive patients (study group) to 213 anti-HCV negative patients (control group). All patients received immunosuppressive therapy.

Hepatitis B virus infection without immunological markers after open-heart surgery.

Post-transfusion hepatitis is still an important problem, despite the screening of blood donors for hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus infections. We assessed whether HBV DNA might be detected by PCR in prospectively collected serum samples of patients with unexplained post-transfusion hepatitis but no immunological HBV markers. We found HBV DNA in 4 (20%) of 20 patients with unexplained post-transfusion hepatitis and in 5 patients with mildly increased aminotransferases.

Antibodies and viremia in acute post-transfusion hepatitis C: a prospective study.

Fourteen patients who developed acute post-transfusion hepatitis C after open-heart surgery were studied for seroconversion, viremia, and aminotransferase. Anti-HCV antibodies were measured by first and second generation ELISA and became positive between one week and more than 6 months after infection. Seroconversion in four patients and passively transfused antibodies were only found by the second generation assay, indicating its significantly higher sensitivity.