Fulminant hepatic failure in acute hepatitis C: increased risk in chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus.
OBJECTIVE
The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in fulminant hepatitis remains controversial. This study was conducted to investigate the risk of fulminant hepatitis C in relation to HCV genotypes and concurrent infection of other viruses.


METHODS
109 HCV RNA positive patients from 334 consecutive cases hospitalised to a medical centre in northern Taiwan for overt acute viral hepatitis were prospectively evaluated.


METHODS
HCV RNA was detected by a combined reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. HCV genotypes were analysed using a genotype specific probe based assay in the 5' untranslated region.


RESULTS
39 patients tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen but negative for IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, indicating concurrent chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Twelve patients were hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA positive. Genotyping of HCV disclosed 1b in 93, 1b mixed with 2a/2c or 1b mixed with 2b in 11, and not classified in five. Serum titres of HCV RNA were <10(5) copies/ml in 77, 10(5)-10(7) copies/ml in 25, and >10(7) copies/ml in seven. Eleven patients (10.1%) had fulminant hepatitis as a complication. Development of fulminant hepatitis did not correlate with age and gender of the patients, concurrent HGV infection, HCV genotypes, or serum titre of HCV RNA. However, the incidence (95% confidence interval) of fulminant hepatitis in patients with underlying chronic HBV infection was 23. 1% (9.9 to 36.3%), which is significantly higher than in those without (2.9% (-1.0 to 6.8%)). In 39 patients with concurrent chronic HBV infection, the clinical and virological characteristics showed no significant difference between those with fulminant hepatitis and those without.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute hepatitis C in patients with concurrent chronic HBV infection is associated with a substantial risk of fulminant hepatitis.
Chu
C M
CM
Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yeh
C T
CT
Liaw
Y F
YF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000821:virology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors