Quantitation of anti-hepatitic C virus antibodies in interferon-treated patients by S29-1/S4 ELISA.
In 23 patients with chronic hepatitis C who have undergone interferon (IFN) treatment, quantitation of anti-hepatitis C virus IgG antibodies by a second-generation assay S29-1/S4 ELISA [Sato et al. (1993): Microbiology and Immunology 37: 295-304]. (anti-S29-1/S4) was compared with that of anti-HCV core IgG antibodies (C22-3, anticore) and the presence of viral RNA confirmed by the reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR). In 12 complete responders with loss of HCV-RNA and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels at 6 months after therapy, IgG antibodies quantified by a second-generation assay have decreased significantly at the end of treatment (P < 0.05). Further significant reduction of anti-S29-1/S4 titers was observed at 6 months after therapy (P < 0.01) as well as anti-core antibodies (P < 0.01). On the other hand, in 11 non-responders with persistent or intermittent viremia at 6 months after therapy, no significant change in the level of anti-S29-1/S4 titers was observed, whereas anti-core titers have decreased at the end of therapy (P < 0.01). In contrast, both levels of anti-S29-1/S4 and anti-core have increased at 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05). It is concluded that, although it appears difficult to monitor the effect of virus clearance during IFN therapy, changes in anti-S29-1/S4 titers after IFN treatment correlate with virus clearance and with anti-core titers.
Sato
A
A
Medical Devices & Diagnostics Research Laboratories, Toray Industries Inc., Shiga, Japan.
Nakamura
H
H
Sho
Y
Y
Arima
T
T
D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018963:Hepatitis Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood
D018963:Hepatitis Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral