Vertical transmission of the hepatitis C virus to infants of anti-human immunodeficiency virus-negative mothers: molecular evolution of hypervariable region 1 in prenatal and perinatal or postnatal infections.
In a prospective study of 33 infants born to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive human immunodeficiency virus-negative mothers the vertical transmission of HCV occurred in 6.8%. The evolution of HCV infection in two babies was studied from birth up to 5 or 6 years of age, and the sequencing of the hypervariable region (HVR) of the putative envelope-encoding E2 region of the HCV genome was performed. The HVR1 sequence variability and the different serological profiles during follow-up could reflect the differences in HCV transmission routes, HCV genotypes, and clinical evolution of infection.
Caudai
C
C
Department of Molecular Biology, Microbiology Section, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. caudia@unisi.it
Battiata
M
M
Riccardi
M P
MP
Toti
M
M
Bonazza
P
P
Padula
M G
MG
Pianese
M
M
Valensin
P E
PE
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D022801:Complementarity Determining Regions / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000175:diagnosis
D022801:Complementarity Determining Regions; D017931:DNA Primers