[The significance of detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic hepatitis C].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.


METHODS
HCV RNA, HCV antigen and Fas antigen were detected in PBMCs of 22 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 21 renal dialysis patients with anti-HCV positive and 12 health blood donors as normal controls. All specimens were studied by electronic microscope (EM).


RESULTS
(1) The positive rate of HCV RNA in PBMCs of 22 patients with hepatitis C was 77.3% (17/22). (2) EM showed that HCV particles replicated in PBMCs of the patients with HCV infection, but not in the serum of patients with negative HCV RNA and healthy controls. (3) HCV RNA were positive both in the serum and PBMCs of 8 patients with HCV particles positive and had a close relationship with HCV antigen and Fas antigen. The expression of HCV and apoptosis were found in the cytoplasm of PBMCs in these 8 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) Hepatitis C virus could replicate in PBMCs and produce infectious HCV particles. (2) HCV in PBMCs may act as the source of reinfection for HCV and lead to persistent infection and recurrence.
An
P
P
Institute of Liver Diseases of the PLA, Beijing Army General Hospital, Beijing 100700.
Chen
L
L
Tian
H
H
Chen
P
P
Li
L
L
Liu
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D014779:Virus Replication; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood
D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D019014:fas Receptor