Immunity in hepatitis C infection.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and newer serologic assays for hepatitis C virus (HCV) were used to investigate 19 HCV cross-challenge episodes in chimpanzees. In these cross-challenges, 59% showed seroconversion after challenge, 33% showed reappearance of HCV-associated hepatocellular ultrastructural changes, 5 animals not PCR-positive at the time of challenge showed return of PCR positivity, and 26% developed hepatitis after rechallenge. A total of 74% showed at least one of these signs of reinfection. The frequency of development of serologic and ultrastructural responses was, however, reduced in secondary compared with primary infections (P less than .01). In 10 animals, the cross-challenge was done with heterologous strains, and in 9 with the originally infecting virus. There was no significant difference in the responses to homologous and heterologous challenges. The data suggest relatively weak immunity in HCV infections.
Prince
A M
AM
Laboratory of Virology and Parasitology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute of New York Blood Center, New York.
Brotman
B
B
Huima
T
T
Pascual
D
D
Jaffery
M
M
Inchauspé
G
G
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012008:Recurrence; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014766:Viremia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; C064544:C100 protein, hepatitis C virus; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D000410:Alanine Transaminase