Herpesvirus DNA is frequently detected in liver tissue from hepatitis C patients.
OBJECTIVE
Herpesviruses infect the liver and cause minor hepatitis. Our aim is to verify the presence of herpesviruses in the liver from hepatitis C patients and the possible influence of these viruses in the liver disease.


METHODS
We searched for herpesvirus DNA in liver biopsies from patients with hepatitis C and from a control group without hepatitis by means of nested polymerase chain reaction. Serological investigations were carried out as well.


RESULTS
Thirty-four liver specimens from hepatitis C patients were examined, 12 of which (35.3%) were positive for at least one herpesvirus DNA, whereas among the 19 control specimens only two were positive (10.5%; P = 0.049). Liver biopsies from seven patients, three with acute hepatitis of unknown origin, three with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and one with autoimmune hepatitis were also investigated and three positive samples were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of herpesvirus DNA was found higher in patients with hepatitis C than in individuals without hepatitis. The influence of herpesviruses on the clinical course of hepatitis C is considered.
Cermelli
C
C
Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Biostatistics, University of Modena, Italy. c.cermelli@unimo.it
Concari
M
M
Pietrosemoli
P
P
Meacci
M
M
Sabbatini
A M
AM
Divincenzo
A
A
Carubbi
F
F
Loria
P
P
Bagni
A
A
Carulli
N
N
Portolani
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral