Mutations within protein kinase R-binding domain of NS5A protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and specificity of HCV antibodies in pretreatment sera of HCV-chronically infected patients and their effect on the result of treatment.

We analyzed protein kinase R (PKR)-binding domain sequences of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A protein and the profile of HCV-specific antibodies from pretreatment sera of HCV-chronically infected patients. Results were compared with clinical data to verify their influence on the course and result of therapy. Of 9 patients enrolled in a 12-month treatment with pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-alpha) plus ribavirin (RBV), 6 patients responded to therapy, as assessed by the lack of HCV RNA in their sera, and 3 did not.