Detection of hepatitis C viral RNA in serum of a patient with acute non A, non B hepatitis.
The sequence of serologic events in a patient with acute type C hepatitis associated with intravenous drug abuse is described. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) ribonucleic acid was detectable in serum during the acute episode of hepatitis, whereas antibody to the hepatitis C virus appeared later, after the acute illness had subsided. The patient developed chronic hepatitis with persistently elevated serum aminotransferase activities. Both hepatitis C viral ribonucleic acid and antibody to hepatitis C virus persisted in serum, together with elevated serum aminotransferases. Thus, detection of HCV RNA may be useful in the diagnosis of acute type C hepatitis, particularly in the absence of detectable antibody to the hepatitis C virus.
Waxman
I
I
Clinical Studies Section, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
Baker
B
B
Feinstone
S M
SM
Di Bisceglie
A M
AM
D000208:Acute Disease; D001483:Base Sequence; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000637:Transaminases