Hepatitis C virus replicates in the same immune cell subsets in chronic hepatitis C and occult infection.

Background & Aims: Infection of the lymphatic system by hepatitis C virus (HCV) appears to be an intrinsic characteristic of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and low-level (occult) HCV infection, but the subsets of immune cells involved were not defined. The aim of this study was to characterize HCV replication status and to assess virus compartmentalization in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells, and monocytes in CHC, and silent infection persisting after resolution of hepatitis C.

Methods: Immune cell subtypes isolated from 7 patients with CHC and 7 individuals with occult infection were analyzed for HCV-RNA-positive and -negative strands and, in selected cases, nonstructural protein 5A display and HCV variants.

A nomogram to predict C282Y hemochromatosis.

Genetic testing of hemochromatosis has not been widely used as a diagnostic test because of unawareness of its existence and concerns about genetic discrimination. We developed a nomogram for the prediction of C282Y homozygotes for hemochromatosis from transferrin saturation and ferritin using Bayes theorem. The results of transferrin saturation and C282Y genotyping were available for 8,572 participants (5,042 men, and 3,530 women).