Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infections during and after therapy with alpha interferon.
In 24 patients with hepatitic C virus (HCV) infection who participated in a randomized trial with alpha 2B interferon, HCV RNA analysis by the polymerase chain reaction with two separate primer sets was performed at weeks 0, 4, and 24 and during a follow-up period of 6 to 9 months. Prior to therapy all patients were HCV RNA positive. During therapy, HCV RNA decreased to an undetectable level (< 1 chimpanzee infectious dose per ml) in nine patients at week 4. After week 4, no additional cases of HCV RNA disappearance (< 1 chimpanzee infectious dose per ml) were observed. During follow-up, HCV RNA could not be detected in four of the six patients with a sustained alanine aminotransferase response. These results suggest the probable predictive value of HCV RNA levels for detecting the failure of therapy in an early stage of HCV infection.
Kleter
G E
GE
Department of Virology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Brouwer
J T
JT
Heijtink
R A
RA
Schalm
S W
SW
Quint
W G
WG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D007370:Interferon Type I; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins