Immune responses toward HCV core NS3, and NS4 proteins in HCV RNA-positive chronic hepatitis C patients.

概要

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome has been classified into several genotypes since the discovery of HCV genetic variability. It has become possible to diagnose hepatitis C by testing anti-HCV and HCV RNA. We tested anti-HCV, HCV genotype, and the quantity of HCV RNA in 62 chronic hepatitis C cases and investigated the relationship among them. Genotype II was found in 74% of 62 cases (46/62), genotype III in 18% (11/62), and genotype IV in 3% (2/62). Double infection was found in 5% (3/62). The core and NS3 antibodies were found irrespective of HCV genotype with high titers. NS4 antibodies were found less frequently in genotype III cases (64%) than in genatype II cases (91%) (p<0.05). There was no relationship between reactivity of each HCV antibody and the quantity of the virus in the serum. These findings indicate that NS4 antibody reactivity differs among different HCV genotypes. This may be a reason for the low sensitivity of the first generation anti-HCV assays.