Hepatitis C virus antibodies in high risk juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in high risk juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE).



Forty low income JSLE patients (6M:34F; mean age 19±4.4 yrs; mean disease duration 6±3.2 yrs) were studied. Twenty healthy children and adolescents matched for social economical level were included as controls. Anti-HCV tests were performed using a third generation microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Inclusion criterion was low social economical level.



The frequencies of anti-HCV antibody were low and comparable between JSLE and control group (2.5% vs. 0, p=1.0). JSLE patients had significantly more risk factors for HCV infection compared to the control group, including immunosuppressive treatment (90% vs. 0, p<0.0001), hospitalization (50% vs. 12.5%, p=0.0006) and invasive procedures (47.5% vs. 12.5%, p=0.001).



The observed low frequency of anti-HCV antibodies in high risk JSLE suggests that this virus does not seem to have a relevant role in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Division of Rheumatology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Hospital da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: nadia.aikawa@gmail.com.
Nádia E
NE
Aikawa
Division of Rheumatology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ana P
AP
Nascimento
Division of Rheumatology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
André L S
AL
Hayata
Division of Rheumatology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Eloisa
E
Bonfá
Division of Rheumatology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Cláudia
C
Goldenstein-Schainberg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
Anti-HCV; Anti-VHC; Hepatitis C virus; Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus; Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico de início juvenil; Vírus contra a hepatite C