title: Hepatitis C virus RNA localization in human carotid plaques.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has certain characteristics that enable it to play an important role in atherosclerosis. Some studies report its association with an increased risk of carotid artery plaque.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HCV genomic sequences and replicative intermediates in plaque tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of consecutive, prospectively recruited patients with HCV infection and chronic ischemic heart disease from the Cardiology, Vascular Surgery and Hepatology Units of a University Hospital in Florence, Italy, were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive-strand HCV RNA was detected in seven carotid plaque tissues from anti-HCV-positive patients and was not detected in the nine carotid plaque tissues obtained from anti-HCV-negative patients. In three patients, HCV RNA was found in carotid plaque and not in serum. HCV replicative intermediates were detected in three plaque samples. Direct sequencing of HCV RNA from the plaque and serum showed HCV genotypes 2 (five cases) and 1 (two cases).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel finding of HCV RNA sequences in plaque tissue strongly suggests an active local infection. This in turn makes it conceivable that the virus may exert local action in carotid atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica Generale e Cardiologia, Department of Medical and Surgical Critical Care, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boddi
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chellini
authors.forename: Betti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giusti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pratesi
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pratesi
authors.forename: Gian Franco
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gensini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paperetti
authors.forename: Anna Linda
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zignego
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral