title: Decreased anti-hepatitis C virus titer and associated factors in chronic hepatitis C patients after sustained virological response: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Long-term trends of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody titer and their associated factors in patients with sustained virological response (SVR) were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 1999 to July 2005, a total of 166 SVR consecutive patients (M/F: 86/80) were enrolled. Anti-HCV titer, samples to cut-off (S/CO) ratios, were measured with AxSYM HCV version 3.0. Their S/CO ratios were followed every 6 months after SVR and the patterns over time were identified by trajectory analyses. Changes of recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) pattern before treatment and end of follow-up were compared (n = 64).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration of follow-up was 4.7 ± 1.5 years (median 4.3; range 3-9 years). The rates of S/CO ratios decreased annually (P < 0.001). Two of them (1.2%) achieved seroreversion. Trajectory groups included lower pretreatment S/CO ratios (LAB, n = 83), rapid decrease (RD, n = 62) and slow decrease (SD, n = 21) groups. Comparing LAB to RD group, odds ratio (OR) of increased platelet count per 1 unit and interferon regimen was 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.20) and 2.17 (95% CI 1.04-4.52) respectively. Comparing SD to LAB and RD groups, the OR of advanced fibrotic stage, using mild fibrotic stage as a reference, was 4.33 (95% CI 1.49-12.63). Reaction strength of all four RIBA bands decreased significantly at the end of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anti-HCV titers decreased annually during long-term follow-up after SVR. Higher pretreatment platelet count, interferon regimen and mild fibrosis were associated with decreased anti-HCV titers. However, only a few cases achieved seroreversion. All RIBA bands decreased significantly after long-term follow-up.
authors: Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Kwong-Ming
authors: KM
authors: Kee
authors: Jing-Houng
authors: JH
authors: Wang
authors: Chao-Hung
authors: CH
authors: Hung
authors: Chien-Hung
authors: CH
authors: Chen
authors: Chuang-Mo
authors: CM
authors: Lee
authors: Kuo-Chin
authors: KC
authors: Chang
authors: Po-Lin
authors: PL
authors: Tseng
authors: Yi-Hao
authors: YH
authors: Yen
authors: Chih-Yun
authors: CY
authors: Lin
authors: Sheng-Nan
authors: SN
authors: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin; D016899:Interferon-beta