Natural clearance of hepatitis C virus in hemophilia patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection in hemophilia patients in Latvia and to analyze association between natural clearance of HCV and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes.


METHODS
From 61 hemophilic patients participating in this study, 38 were adults and 23 were pediatric patients younger than 18 years. To analyze association between HLA class II alleles and natural clearance of HCV, the gene frequency was compared in hemophilia patients group and the control group of 60 healthy subjects, all men. Serum HCV RNA was qualitatively determined and HLA class II alleles were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.


RESULTS
HCV infection is common among hemophilia patients in Latvia. Antibodies to HCV were found in 45 of 61 (74%) hemophilia patients. In 41% of hemophilia patients (18 of 44), HCV infection resolved spontaneously. Children cleared HCV more frequently than adults (7 of 11 comparing to 11 of 33, respectively; OR=3.50; P<0.05). The frequency difference was found to be statistically significant when comparing HLA alleles distribution in the sample of hemophilia patients who naturally cleared HCV (n=18) and in the control group (n=60) (corresponding frequency of HLA-DRB1*07 allele - 4 (11.11%) and 9 (1.67%); OR=7.38; P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Natural clearance of HCV infection is frequently found in hemophilia patients in Latvia. Children are more likely to clear virus naturally than adults. There is an association between natural clearance of HCV and HLA allele DRB1*07 in hemophilia patients.
Simanis
Raimonds
R
Department of Traditional Infectology, Tuberculosis and AIDS, Riga Stradins University, Latvia. raimonds.simanis@e-teliamtc.lv
Lejniece
Sandra
S
Sochnevs
Arturs
A
Eglite
Jelena
J
Chernevska
Gunta
G
Kovalova
Zhanna
Z
Gardovska
Dace
D
Jeruma
Agita
A
Kuse
Velga
V
Viksna
Ludmila
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D005838:Genotype; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007844:Latvia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States
D006680:HLA Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral