[Late spontaneous elimination of HCV-RNA from mononuclear cells derived from peripheral blood in patients with chronic hepatitis C].
OBJECTIVE
To follow persistence of HCV-RNA in PBMC in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). To estimate the influence of this phenomenon on the cellular immune response of peripheral blood lymphocytes.


METHODS
8 HCV-RNA in PBMC positive children, with undetectable serum HCV-RNA after antiviral treatment, have been examined every 2-3 years. The amount of IFN-gamma, IL-12 and IL-18 secreted by PBMC obtained from the children after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was measured.


RESULTS
Spontaneous elimination of HCV-RNA from PBMC in 2 to 6 years after treatment was found in all children. In two children HCV-RNA detectable both in serum and in PBMC, without recurrence of hepatitis, was found in single examination. PBMC containing HCV-RNA secreted more IFN-gamma than PBMC lacking it (1221 +/- 458 pg/ml vs. 651 +/- 147 pg/ml; p=0.009, similar correlation was revealed with the regard of IL-12: 21.8 +/- 12.3 pg/ml vs. 5,6 +/- 3,3 pg/ml respectively; p=0.009. Production and release of IL-18 were not correlated with HCV-RNA persistence (p=0.12).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with CHC and persistence of HCV-RNA in PBMC require longitudinal follow-up in the respect of possible reseroconversion. PBMC containing HCV-RNA reveal enhanced cellular immune response, which most probably effects in spontaneous elimination of the virus.
Majda-Stanisławska
Ewa
E
Klinika Chorób Zakaźnych i Hepatologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lodzi. jsstan@lodz.home.pl
Sidorkiewicz
Małgorzata
M
Jóźwiak
Barbara
B
Pietrzak
Anna
A
Brzezińska-Błaszczyk
Ewa
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral