title: Analysis of quasispecies in the viral 5' untranslated region of hepatitis C virus to evaluate ribavirin mutagenic effect in patients receiving ribavirin and interferon-alfa.
abstract: In the study presented here the ribavirin mutagenic effect was investigated by analyzing quasispecies in the viral 5' untranslated region of hepatitis C virus in six patients with chronic infection who started interpheron-alpha and ribavirin therapy. A remarkable mutation rate during treatment was found in only one individual. This patient had a sustained response and harbored a type 3a virus strain. The different mutated clones in this patient demonstrated no apparent close relationship that could suggest lack of selection pressure by ribavirin. The mutations were located within the loops of subdomains IIIb and IIId of the internal ribosomal entry site. This is an interesting initial finding that needs to be substantiated in a larger trial.
authors.affiliation: Viral Hepatitis and AIDS Study Group, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Seville, Spain. avallejo@cica.es
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vallejo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molina-Pinelo
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abad
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Quijano
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lissen
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin