Superinfection of chimpanzees carrying hepatitis C virus of genotype II/1b with that of genotype III/2a or I/1a.
Three chimpanzees persistently infected with hepatitis C virus of genotype II/1b were challenged with hepatitis C virus of genotype III/2a and 6 wk later with hepatitis C virus of genotype I/1a. They were tested for titers of total and genotype-specific hepatitis C virus RNA, as well as for serum transaminase levels, until 52 wk after the first challenge. One chimpanzee (CH489) with intermittent low hepatitis C virus RNA titers of genotype II/1b in serum was superinfected with hepatitis C virus of genotype III/2a between wk 1 and 7 after the challenge; superinfection was accompanied by fluctuating high transaminase levels. Later, the animal was superinfected with hepatitis C virus of genotype I/1a. Superinfection was accompanied by persistently high transaminase levels immediately after the challenge. Hepatitis C virus of genotype I/1a persisted, whereas hepatitis C virus of genotype II/1b was undetectable 22 wk after the challenge and thereafter. In another chimpanzee (CH353) with intermittent low hepatitis C virus RNA titers of genotype II/1b, hepatitis C virus of genotype III/2a induced fluctuating high levels of serum transaminases without revealing itself in serum. Then, HCV of genotype I/1a superinfected her, induced persistently high transaminase levels and took over HCV of genotype II/1b at 22 wk after the challenge and thereafter. The third chimpanzee (CH451) with persistently high HCV RNA titers of genotype II/1b did not reveal HCV RNA of genotype III/2a in serum after the challenge, although transaminases sharply increased. Low-titered HCV RNA of genotype I/1a was detected at 18 wk after the challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Okamoto
H
H
Immunology Division, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi-Ken, Japan.
Mishiro
S
S
Tokita
H
H
Tsuda
F
F
Miyakawa
Y
Y
Mayumi
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015163:Superinfection / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
D015335:Molecular Probes; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000637:Transaminases