Detection of anti-HCV IgM antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of IgM antibodies to hepatitis C virus core protein (anti-HCV IgM) as a marker of chronic HCV infection and as a predictor of successful interferon (IFN) treatment.


METHODS
Anti-HCV IgM levels were evaluated at baseline, during IFN therapy and during a follow-up period.


METHODS
Anti-HCV IgM levels were evaluated in 62 patients (47 men and 15 women, aged 25-65 years) with biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis C. Fifty-one of the patients received alpha-IFN 3 MU three times a week for 6 months and 11 received the same therapy for 12 months. Twenty patients showed a long-term response; fourteen responded but subsequently suffered a relapse; twenty-eight did not respond to the treatment. Follow-up in all patients lasted for at least 6 (mean +/- SD 9.8 +/- 5.4, range 6-29) months after the end of the therapy.


RESULTS
Anti-HCV IgM were detected in 35 patients (56.4%) at baseline; no significant differences were observed between the three groups studied. Almost all members of the groups showing a relapse or no response remained positive at the end of therapy and follow-up. In contrast, we observed a progressive disappearance of anti-HCV IgM in patients responsive to interferon therapy over the long term.


CONCLUSIONS
The loss of anti-HCV IgM positivity in patients positive at baseline can predict the long-term response to IFN therapy.
Picciotto
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
Icardi
G
G
Bardellini
E
E
Borro
P
P
Borzone
S
S
Pireddu
M
M
Sinelli
N
N
Pezzano
D
D
Orione
L
L
Di Giacomo
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins