Non-organ-specific autoantibodies in children with chronic hepatitis C: clinical significance and impact on interferon treatment.
We evaluated the prevalence and clinical significance of non-organ-specific autoantibodies (NOSAs) in 47 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive children with abnormal alanine transaminase levels and analyzed the association between NOSAs and virus level, genotype, human leukocyte antigen status, and interferon (IFN) response. Forty-two hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive children and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy children served as control subjects. NOSAs were found in 34% of the HCV-positive children, 12% of the HBV-positive controls, and none of the healthy control subjects. Liver-kidney microsomal antibody type 1 (LKM1) was detected in 11% of the HCV-positive children but in none of the controls. The HCV load was significantly higher in NOSA-negative than in NOSA-positive children. HCV genotype distribution and human leukocyte antigen alleles were similar, irrespective of NOSA status. Long-term response to IFN therapy was achieved by 18% of the NOSA-positive and 55% of the NOSA-negative subjects. Two LKM1-positive children developed acute, self-limited hepatocellular necrosis while receiving IFN therapy. NOSAs are frequently present in children with hepatitis C, who are less likely to benefit from IFN therapy.
Muratori
Paolo
P
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Cardioangiologia, Epatologia, Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi via Massarenti, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. luigi.muratori@unibo.it
Muratori
Luigi
L
Verucchi
Gabriella
G
Attard
Luciano
L
Bianchi
Francesco B
FB
Lenzi
Marco
M
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007372:Interferons