Hepatitis C antibody in patients with chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiologic agent of parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. To determine whether there is a relationship between this virus agent and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the sera of patients with HCC and chronic hepatitis were assessed using a sensitive immunoassay for HCV antibody. Anti-HCV was detected in 65% of 132 patients with HCC, without any relationship with the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The prevalence (74%) of anti-HCV was high, as expected in patients with putative non-A, non-B cirrhosis also. The prevalence of anti-HCV was less in patients with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis (28%) and in patients with disease not related to viral hepatitis and healthy controls (8%). These data suggest, but do not prove, that HCV is an important factor associated with HCC.
Colombo
M
M
Instituto di Medicina Interna, Università di Milano, Italy.
Rumi
M G
MG
Donato
M F
MF
Tommasini
M A
MA
Del Ninno
E
E
Ronchi
G
G
Kuo
G
G
Houghton
M
M
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000382:microbiology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens