Evolution of hepatitis C virus infection under host factor influence in an ethnically complex population.
BACKGROUND
The ethnic influence makes it difficult to reach a consensual definition of host-dependent genetic factors controlling the hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease course.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate, in an ethnically complex Brazilian population, whether human leucocyte antigen (HLA) molecules are associated with susceptibility to HCV infection, self-limiting viral clearance and predisposition to chronic disease.


METHODS
One hundred and four HCV-antibody-positive patients (stratified into groups with spontaneous viral clearance and chronic HCV infection) and 166 healthy controls were submitted to HLA genotyping.


RESULTS
Two strong associations were observed between the susceptibility to HCV infection and DRB3 [odds ratio (OR), 4.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.40-6.77; P(c)=0.0000041] and DQB1*02 (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.05-2.84; P=0.041), and between the spontaneous viral clearance and DRB1*01 (OR, 4.59; 95% CI, 1.70-12.41; P=0.003) and DQB1*03 (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.14-7.02; P=0.029). No evidence was observed regarding the epidemiology or viral genotype influence on the disease course.


CONCLUSIONS
We could confirm with a highly admixed population the association of viral clearance with two allele groups (DRB1*01 and DQB1*03) previously reported in homogeneous populations. The identification of DRB1*01 and DQB1*03 involved with self-limiting hepatitis in different ethnic groups is a very important finding that will contribute to the current knowledge about HCV-host interaction and the development of therapeutic vaccines.
Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. jenyrcs@rge.fmrp.usp.br
Jeny R
JR
Cursino-Santos
Eduardo A
EA
Donadi
Ana L C
AL
Martinelli
Paulo
P
Louzada-Junior
Nilce M
NM
Martinez-Rossi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000208:ethnology; D005838:Genotype; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069051:HLA-DQB1 antigen; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059826:HLA-DRB3 Chains