title: Fatal hepatitis C virus infection in a heart transplant recipient detectable by polymerase chain reaction only.
abstract: Rapidly progressive and ultimately fatal liver failure with evolution to cirrhosis developed in a heart transplant recipient following infection by hepatitis C virus. Antiviral antibodies and the presence of viral RNA were analyzed throughout the course of the disease. After a weak initial response to a single viral epitope (c22-3), serology became negative, the infection remaining detectable by polymerase chain reaction only. This case demonstrates the potentially severe consequences of hepatitis C virus infection under immunosuppression. The incidence of this infection may be underestimated, as the presented case apparently would not have been detected if serology had been used for diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Kroes
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Man
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Niesters
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schalm
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weimar
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Balk
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012367:RNA, Viral