Clearance of hepatitis C virus after newly acquired infection in injection drug users.
A retrospective cohort of injection drug users with newly acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was established to examine viral clearance. Newly acquired HCV infection was defined by anti-HCV antibody seroconversion within a 2-year interval. Stored serum samples were tested for HCV RNA, with viral clearance defined as >/=2 consecutive negative HCV RNA test results after infection. Ninety-nine cases of HCV infection were identified; 57 had >/=2 HCV RNA test results after infection. Viral clearance occurred in 24 (42%) cases, with Kaplan-Meier estimated probabilities of 23%, 38%, and 40% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively.
Jauncey
Marianne
M
New South Wales Public Health Officer Training Program, New South Wales Department of Health, Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Micallef
Joanne M
JM
Gilmour
Stuart
S
Amin
Janaki
J
White
Peter A
PA
Rawlinson
William
W
Kaldor
John M
JM
van Beek
Ingrid
I
Dore
Gregory J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral