Virological and histological features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in kidney transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
Although there are some reports regarding prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in kidney transplant patients, there are scarce data about viraemia, genotyping and liver histology of HCV infection in kidney transplant recipients.


METHODS
We studied the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies by second-generation screening and confirmatory assays in a cohort of 73 renal allograft recipients. All patients were tested for serum HCV RNA using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of the viral genome. HCV RNA positive patients were subjected to genotype analysis using biotinylated type-specific oligonucleotide probes after hybridization with amplified sample material. Eleven of 73 patients showing raised aminotransferase levels underwent hepatic biopsy.


RESULTS
Fifteen of 73 (20%) patients were determined anti-HCV positive. Eleven of 73 (15%) showed detectable serum HCV RNA; no viraemic, seronegative patients were identified. Genotyping showed that HCV subtype 2a was dominant (64%), followed by HCV subtypes 1b (27%) and 1a (9%). Six of 11 (54%) HCV RNA patients and 12 of 62 (19%) HCV RNA negative patients showed raised aminotransferase levels (P = 0.03). Liver biopsies showed histological features of chronic hepatitis with mild or moderate degrees of activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV viraemia was 20% and 15% respectively; there was a good association between anti-HCV anti-bodies and HCV viraemia; hepatic enzyme levels were good indicators of ongoing HCV infection; HCV subtype 2a was prevalent; liver histology showed histological characteristics of chronic hepatitis with mild or moderate degrees of activity.
Fabrizi
F
F
Nephrology Department, Hospital of Lecco, Italy.
Lunghi
G
G
Marai
P
P
Marcelli
D
D
Guarnori
I
I
Raffaele
L
L
Erba
G
G
Pagano
A
A
Locatelli
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood; D014766:Viremia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000637:Transaminases