[Study of expression of hepatitis C virus antigens and viral replication in extrahepatic tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the state of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and replication in extrahepatic tissues and its significance in hepatitis C patients.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used respectively to detect HCV antigens (NS3, NS5 and CP10) and HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand in kidney, heart, pancreas, and intestine from 9 hepatitis C patients.


RESULTS
Positive staining for HCV NS3, NS5 and CP10 in extrahepatic tissues was found in 6 of the 9 (66.7%) patients. The expression of HCV antigens was observed only in plasma of cells. The amount of positive-staining cells was less and there were a few differences between the kind, amounts and distribution of HCV antigen-positive-staining cells in different extrahepatic tissues. HCV RNA was detected in extrahepatic tissues from all the patients by RT-PCR. The detection rates of HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand were 64.5% and 35.5% in 31 extrahepatic tissues specimens, respectively. The positive of HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand detection was coincident with that of HCV antigens detection in these tissues (Kappa>0.40).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a possible presence of HCV infection and replication in extrahepatic tissues. Low-level of HCV extrahepatic infection and replication is possibly a major cause of a low positive rate and inconsistent results of HCV detection in extrahepatic tissues.
Yan
F
F
Department of Infectious Disease, The 161st Central Hospital of Chinese PLA, Wuhan 430010, China.
Hao
F
F
Zhao
L
L
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology*; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014779:Virus Replication
D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral