Antibodies to hepatitis C virus in primary biliary cirrhosis.
We investigated the prevalence of anti-HCV in 160 consecutive patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. By ELISA, 19 (12%) were positive, as compared to a 68% prevalence in 135 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. Serum IgG levels were significantly higher in the anti-HCV positive group. By RIBA, seropositivity was confirmed for 4 patients, whereas 7 were indeterminate. A slight, non-significant reduction of life expectancy was found in anti-HCV positive patients. Until reliable and independent confirmatory tests become available, definitive conclusions on the importance of anti-HCV positivity in primary biliary cirrhosis are improper.
Bertolini
E
E
Blood Transfusion Center, Ospedale S. Paolo, Milan, Italy.
Marelli
F
F
Zermiani
P
P
Battezzati
P M
PM
Zuin
M
M
Moroni
G A
GA
Podda
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies