Circulating HCV-RNA, HCV genotype, and liver histology in asymptomatic individuals reactive for anti-HCV antibody and their follow-up study.
The present study was aimed to clarify the virologic status, liver histologies, and the results of follow-up liver tests in symptom-free individuals with anti-HCV antibodies and normal liver tests. Forty-nine individuals with normal liver tests and positive second generation anti-HCV antibody assay were entered into this study. Cases with hepatitis C viremia were evaluated for HCV genotype, amount of circulating HCV-RNA, and liver histology and were followed-up for more than one year. Of the forty-nine individuals, 36 had hepatitis C viremia, indicated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Liver histology was as follows: 3 had non-specific changes, 25 had chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), and 8 had chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Twenty-four cases with CPH and CAH developed an elevated AST and/or ALT concentration (> 30 IU/l) between 12 and 32 months of follow-up. The amount of circulating HCV-RNA ranged from 10(2) to 10(7) copies/50 microliters serum. The distribution of HCV genotypes was nearly the same as that for symptomatic CAH. These data suggest that the histological examination and follow-up examination are very important for following symptom-free individuals with hepatitis C viremia because there are some candidates for interferon therapy among them. There are few individuals who will remain healthy among asymptomatic HCV carriers.
Okanoue
T
T
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Yasui
K
K
Sakamoto
S
S
Minami
M
M
Nagao
Y
Y
Itoh
Y
Y
Kagawa
K
K
Kashima
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase