scholarly journals Adherence to a Fish-Rich Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Showing Low Viral Load: Implications for Nutritional Management

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3337
Author(s):  
Claudia Ojeda-Granados ◽  
Arturo Panduro ◽  
Karina Gonzalez-Aldaco ◽  
Ingrid Rivera-Iñiguez ◽  
Liliana Campos-Medina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Viral Load ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Spontaneous Clearance ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Chronic Hcv ◽  
Few Data

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is influenced by genetic (e.g., APOE polymorphisms) and environmental factors between the virus and the host. HCV modulates the host’s lipid metabolism but dietary components influence lipids and in vitro HCV RNA replication. Few data exist on the role of dietary features or patterns (DPs) in HCV infection. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the nutritional profiles of chronic HCV (CHC) and spontaneous clearance (SC) Mexican patients in the context of APOE alleles and their correlation with HCV-related variables. The fibrosis-related APOEε3 allele prevailed in CHC and SC patients, who had four DPs (“meat and soft drinks”, DP1; “processed animal and fried foods”, DP2; “Mexican-healthy”, DP3; and “fish-rich”, DP4). In CHC subjects, polyunsaturated fatty acid intake (PUFA ≥ 4.9%) was negatively associated, and fiber intake (≥21.5 g/d) was positively associated with a high viral load (p < 0.036). High adherence to fish-rich DP4 was associated with a higher frequency of CHC individuals consuming PUFA ≥ 4.9% (p = 0.004) and low viral load (p = 0.036), but a lower frequency of CHC individuals consuming fiber ≥ 21.5 g/d (p = 0.038). In SC and CHC individuals, modifying unhealthy DPs and targeting HCV-interacting nutrients, respectively, could be part of a nutritional management strategy to prevent further liver damage.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C virus screening of high-risk patients in a community hospital emergency department: Retrospective review of patient characteristics and future implications

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252976
Author(s):  
Ji Seok Park ◽  
Judy Wong ◽  
Hillary Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Spontaneous Clearance ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chronic Hcv Infection ◽  
Chronic Hcv

Background Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a common infectious disease that affects more than 2.7 million people in the US. Because the emergency department (ED) can present an ideal opportunity to screen patients who may not otherwise get routine screening, we implemented a risk-based screening program for ED patients and established a system to facilitate linkage to care. Methods and findings A risk-based screening algorithm for HCV was programmed to trigger an alert in Epic electronic medical record system. Patients identified between August 2018 and April 2020 in the ED were tested for HCV antibody reflex to HCV RNA. Patients with a positive screening test were contacted for the confirmatory test result and to establish medical care for HCV treatment. Patient characteristics including age, sex, self-awareness of HCV infection, history of previous HCV treatment, history of opioids use, history of tobacco use, and types of insurance were obtained. A total of 4,525 patients underwent a screening test, of whom 131 patients (2.90%) were HCV antibody positive and 43 patients (0.95%) were HCV RNA positive, indicating that only 33% of patients with positive screening test had chronic HCV infection. The rate of chronic infection was higher in males as compared to females (1.34% vs 0.60%, p = 0.01). Patients with history of opioid use or history of tobacco use were found to have a lower rate of spontaneous clearance than patients without each history (opioids: 48.6% vs 72.0%, p = 0.02; tobacco: 56.6% vs 80.5%, p = 0.01). Among 43 patients who were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, 26 were linked to a clinical setting that can address chronic HCV infection, with linkage to care rate of 60.5%. The most common barrier to this was inability to contact patients after discharge from the ED. Conclusions A streamlined EMR system for HCV screening and subsequent linkage to care from the ED can be successfully implemented. A retrospective review suggests that male sex is related to chronic HCV infection, and history of opioid use or history of tobacco use is related to lower HCV spontaneous clearance.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C virus (HCV) specific immune responses in anti-HCV positive patients without hepatitis C viraemia

Gut ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
M E Cramp ◽  
P Carucci ◽  
S Rossol ◽  
S Chokshi ◽  
G Maertens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Lymphocyte Activation ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Chronic Hcv ◽  
Lymphocyte Responses

BACKGROUND/AIMSMost patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop chronic infection and persistent viraemia. The immune mechanisms responsible for resolution of viraemia remain poorly understood. HCV specific humoral and cellular immune responses in patients with and without viraemia were investigated.METHODSIn vitro T helper (TH) lymphocyte responses to structural and non-structural HCV proteins were determined by means of proliferative response and cytokine production in 35 anti-HCV positive/HCV RNA negative patients and in 31 patients with chronic HCV infection and persistent viraemia. Humoral responses were determined by measuring HCV specific antibody quantity and specificity.RESULTSA TH response to two or more HCV proteins was present in 18 of 35 patients with serological viral clearance compared with just one of 31 viraemic patients (p = 0.00001). HCV specific interferon-γ production was increased only in the former group. In contrast, the antibody levels were significantly lower and directed at fewer HCV antigens in patients with undetectable HCV RNA.CONCLUSIONSPatients without viraemia after HCV infection frequently have strong TH lymphocyte responses of the TH1 type to multiple HCV antigens many years after the onset of infection, whereas antibody responses are less marked. These results suggest that control of HCV replication may depend on effective TH lymphocyte activation.

scholarly journals Higher levels of hepatitis C virus RNA found in blood donors co-infected with HIV as compared to HCV mono-infected donors

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (08) ◽  
pp. 1068-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enagnon Kazali Alidjinou ◽  
Donatien Moukassa ◽  
Eben Ebatetou-Ataboho ◽  
Gael Honal Mahoungou ◽  
Jean-Paul Pambou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
High Viral Load ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Sub Saharan

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are public health problems in sub-Saharan countries such as the Republic of Congo. HIV infection could impact the characteristics of HCV infection in co-infected people. We investigated HCV-HIV co-infection among blood donors in Congo. Methodology: Ninety-nine HIV-positive and/or HCV-seropositive blood donors were selected during screening and subsequently tested for aminotransferases and HCV RNA. Results: A total of 29 donors were found positive for HCV RNA (HCV-infected individuals), including 19/60 (31.66%) HIV donors (co-infected) and 10/39 (25.64%) non-HIV donors (mono-infected). Most of the co-infected donors (17/19) displayed a high viral load (> 5 log). The median HCV RNA level was at least 2 logs higher in co-infected people. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also slightly higher in co-infected donors than in HCV mono-infected donors. Conclusion: This study reports HCV-HIV co-infection among blood donors in Congo and shows that HCV viral load is higher in HIV donors.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Clearance of Chronic HCV: The Key Ending Left in the Dark

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1657-1659
Author(s):  
Nikola Hristov Mumdzhiev ◽  
Daniela Valerieva Radicheva ◽  
Mariana Penkova Radicheva ◽  
Rumen Valchev Tenev ◽  
Zlatina Dimitrova Vasileva
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Spontaneous Clearance ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Spontaneous Hcv Clearance ◽  
Chronic Hcv ◽  
Direct Acting ◽  
Special Circumstances

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C is the second leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the discovery of direct-acting agents made the disease curable, HCV elimination can be achieved solely by the host’s immunologic arsenal. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 29-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C infection - elevated transaminases, positive serology. HCV was detectable on two occasions, and histology showed mild disease - A1F1. Upon follow up and without any treatment, the patient achieved spontaneous clearance confirmed by two consecutive undetectable HCV RNA tests. Spontaneous HCV clearance rarely occurs – 0.5% per person-year. This is sometimes accompanied by special circumstances like additional disease or medical interventions. Host factors like gender and interleukin-28B polymorphisms have been known to contribute to clearance. Viral factors like HCV RNA levels are also a factor. The characteristics of host-viral interplay – age of acquisition and fibrosis stage – cannot be overlooked. CONCLUSION: All of the abovementioned factors contribute to the complex immunological interaction between virus and host and the result, although rarely can be spontaneous clearance.

scholarly journals Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Antiviral Effects of Hypericin, a Derivative of St. John's Wort Plant, in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

2001 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Jacobson ◽  
Lawrence Feinman ◽  
Leonard Liebes ◽  
Nancy Ostrow ◽  
Victoria Koslowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Data ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Dosing Schedule ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Chronic Hcv Infection ◽  
Chronic Hcv

ABSTRACT Hypericin is a natural derivative of the common St. Johns wort plant, Hypericum perforatum. It has in vitro activity against several viruses, including bovine diarrhea virus, a pestivirus with structural similarities to hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a phase I dose escalation study to determine the safety and antiviral activity of hypericin in patients with chronic HCV infection. The first 12 patients received an 8-week course of 0.05 mg of hypericin per kg of body weight orally once a day; 7 patients received an 8-week course of 0.10 mg/kg orally once a day. At the end of the 8-week period of treatment, no subject had a change of plasma HCV RNA level of more than 1.0 log10. Five of 12 subjects receiving the 0.05-mg/kg/day dosing schedule and 6 of 7 subjects receiving the 0.10-mg/kg/day dosing schedule developed phototoxic reactions. No other serious adverse events associated with hypericin use occurred. The pharmacokinetic data revealed a long elimination half-life (mean values of 36.1 and 33.8 h, respectively, for the doses of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and mean area under the curve determinations of 1.5 and 3.1 μg/ml × hr, respectively. In sum, hypericin given orally in doses of 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg/d caused considerable phototoxicity and had no detectable anti-HCV activity in patients with chronic HCV infection.

scholarly journals Replication of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts: Protein Kinase R (PKR)-Dependent and PKR-Independent Mechanisms for Controlling HCV RNA Replication and Mediating Interferon Activities

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (15) ◽  
pp. 7364-7374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung-Soo Chang ◽  
Zhaohui Cai ◽  
Chen Zhang ◽  
Ganes C. Sen ◽  
Bryan R. G. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Protein Kinase R ◽  
Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts ◽  
Embryonic Fibroblasts ◽  
Chronic Hcv Infection ◽  
Chronic Hcv

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic hepatitis and is currently treated with alpha interferon (IFN-α)-based therapies. The underlying mechanisms of chronic HCV infection and IFN-based therapies, however, have not been defined. Protein kinase R (PKR) was implicated in the control of HCV replication and mediation of IFN-induced antiviral response. In this report, we demonstrate that a subgenomic RNA replicon of genotype 2a HCV replicated efficiently in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), as determined by cell colony formation efficiency and the detection of HCV proteins and both positive- and negative-strand RNAs. Additionally, the subgenomic HCV RNA was found to replicate more efficiently in the PKR knockout (PKR−/−) MEF than in the wild-type (PKR+/+) MEF. The knockdown expression of PKR by specific small interfering RNAs significantly enhanced the level of HCV RNA replication, suggesting that PKR is involved in the control of HCV RNA replication. The level of ISG56 (p56) was induced by HCV RNA replication, indicating the activation of PKR-independent antiviral pathways. Furthermore, IFN-α/β inhibited HCV RNA replication in PKR−/− MEFs as efficiently as in PKR+/+ MEFs. These findings demonstrate that PKR-independent antiviral pathways play important roles in controlling HCV replication and mediating IFN-induced antiviral effect. Our findings also provide a foundation for the development of transgenic mouse models of HCV replication and set a stage to further define the roles of cellular genes in the establishment of chronic HCV infection and the mediation of intracellular innate antiviral response by using MEFs derived from diverse gene knockout animals.

scholarly journals Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection in hemophiliacs-- influence of virus load, genotype, and liver pathology on response

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1704-1709 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Hanley ◽  
LM Jarvis ◽  
J Andrew ◽  
R Dennis ◽  
PC Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis C ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Interferon Treatment ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Virus Load ◽  
Chronic Hcv

In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of interferon treatment in 31 hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Interferon alfa-2a (3 MU three times weekly) was administered for 6 months. Response was assessed by both serial alanine transaminase (ALT) and HCV RNA levels measured by a sensitive semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. HCV genotype was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and evidence of changing genotypes during interferon therapy was sought. Severity of liver disease was assessed by both noninvasive and invasive methods, including laparoscopic liver inspection and biopsy. Sustained normalization of ALT levels occurred in eight patients (28%), and seven (24%) became nonviremic as assessed by PCR (<80 HCV/mL). Responders universally cleared HCV RNA within 2 months of starting interferon. Genotype 3a was associated with a favorable response to interferon. No evidence was found for a change in circulating genotype in patients who failed to respond to interferon or who relapsed. This study confirms that response rates to interferon are low in hemophiliacs as compared with other groups with chronic HCV infection. We have also demonstrated that virus load measurement over the first 8 to 12 weeks of treatment is an extremely useful method to identify responders at an early stage.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Hepatitis C Infection and its Genotypes in Suspected Hemodialysis Patients, Southwest of Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzieh Jamalidoust ◽  
Maryam Eskandari ◽  
Mazyar Ziyaeyan
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Research Center ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Genotype 3

Background: Hemodialysis patients are more prone to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection due to the need for long-term hemodialysis and blood transfusions. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the HCV infection burden, viral load, and genotype pattern in hemodialysis patients referred to a research center from 2011 to 2018. Methods: Among 131 hemodialysis patients with suspected HCV infection, referred to Prof. Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz, Iran, from 2011 to 2018, the HCV rate was assessed with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the HCV RNA load and genotypes by one-step TaqMan real-time PCR. Results: The prevalence of HCV-Ab positivity was 29% among hemodialysis patients, of whom 21 (57%) were HCV RNA-positive. In the rest of the hemodialysis patients who were HCV-Ab-negative, the HCV RNA was detected in five (12%) patients. Genotype 3 (Gt-3) was the most prevalent one detected in 50% of the patients whose genotypes were determined. Also, the HCV viral load in HCV-seropositive patients was generally higher than that in HCV-seronegative ones. Conclusions: This study showed that high HCV infection and different genotype patterns among hemodialysis patients compared to the general population are the main predictors of HCV infection, which indicates healthcare facility transmission because of inappropriate infection management practices.

scholarly journals Chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Is there a correlation between HCV genotypes and the level of viremia?

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 230-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragan Delic ◽  
Zorica Nesic ◽  
Jasmina Simonovic ◽  
Neda Svirtlih ◽  
Ljubisa Dokic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Genotype 4 ◽  
Hcv Genotypes ◽  
Genotype 2 ◽  
Chronic Hcv Infection ◽  
Chronic Hcv

Introduction. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA status and HCV genotypes have become extremely important for exact diagnosis, prognosis, duration of treatment and monitoring of antiviral therapy of chronic HCV infection. Material and methods. For the purpose of precise and objective assessment of virologic analyses, such as the determination of the number of virus copies and virus genotypes, 110 patients with chronic HCV infection were tested. Genotyping of HCV isolates and HCV RNA quantification were performed by using the PCR method. Genotype lb infection was verified in 49.1% of patients, genotype 3a infection was found in 28.2%, genotype 4 in 9.1%, genotype 2 in 4.5%, while mixed genotype infections were diagnosed in 9.1% of cases. Results. Patients infected by genotype lb had significantly higher serum HCV RNA level in relation to patients infected by other genotypes (p<0.05). Over 70% of patients infected by genotype lb had more than 2xl06 virus copies in 1 ml of blood, while in genotypes 2, 3a and 4, the percentage was 40%, 38.5% and 30%, respectively. Male patients had approximately 7.7x10.6 virus copies in 1 ml of blood, which was significantly higher in comparison with female patients (2.3xl06 copies/ml; p<0.05). Conclusion. Our results are in concordance with the results of other authors reporting that genotype lb is predominant in Europe, as well as significantly higher incidence of viremia in patients with genotype lb infection in relation to other HCV genotypes. Based on these results, we can conclude that our patients, most commonly, present with severe clinical course of chronic HCV infection and require longer treatment (48 weeks), which causes economic problems. .

scholarly journals Clinical, Biochemical and Virological Profile of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection - A Study from University Hospital in Nepal

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-35
Author(s):  
Dipesh Gurubacharya ◽  
Mohan Khadka ◽  
Khadga B Shreshta ◽  
Prem Khadga ◽  
Sashi Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Injection Drug Use ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Hcv Genotypes ◽  
Chronic Hcv Infection ◽  
Chronic Hcv

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health challenge. It is a major cause for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Both the genotype and viral load of HCV determine the choice of therapy as well as outcome of therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, biochemical and virological profile and association of HCV genotypes with viral load and liver biochemical profile.Material and Methods: This was descriptive observational study of chronic HCV infected patients who attended at the outpatient clinic of Department of Gastroenterology of TUTH, IOM from April 2013 to November 2014. During this study period 38 patients with chronic HCV infection were analyzed. Clinical profile, possible risk factors for transmission of HCV infection and liver biochemical profile were recorded. Virological profile included HCV viral load and HCV genotypes.Results: Out of 38 patients 34(89.5%) were male and 4(10.5%) were female. Injection drug use (IDU) was the most common mode for acquisition of HCV infection (55.3%). Genotype 3 was found in 21(55.26%) patients and genotype 1 was found in 17(44.74%) patients. There was no significant association between HCV genotypes and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level. And also there was no significant association between HCV viral load and different HCV genotypes.Conclusions: In our study HCV genotype 3 was the most prevalent genotype in patients with chronic HCV infection. Injection drug use was identified as most common identifiable risk factor for transmission of HCV infection. There was no significant association between different HCV genotypes and serum ALT, AST level and HCV viral load. Journal of Nobel College of Medicine Vol.4(1) 2015: 32-35

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