Patterns of antibodies to hepatitis C virus and hepatitis C virus replication in children with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis.
Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), investigated by second- and third-generation assays, were detected in 74% of 43 children with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. The polymerase chain reaction identified HCV ribonucleic acid in 26 (93%) of 28 seropositive and in 1 of 10 seronegative cases. Intermittent HCV ribonucleic acid positivity, suggesting low and fluctuating viremia, was frequent in younger patients.
Bortolotti
F
F
Pediatric Clinic, 2nd Faculty, Naples, Italy.
Vajro
P
P
Barbera
C
C
Crivellaro
C
C
Zancan
L
L
Giacchino
R
R
Nebbia
G
G
Lepore
L
L
Barbierato
E
E
De Moliner
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014766:Viremia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral