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Epidemiological, biological and histological characterization of patients with indeterminate third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay antibody results for hepatitis C virus.
- Source :
-
Journal of Viral Hepatitis . Mar2006, Vol. 13 Issue 3, p177-181. 5p. 2 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- We studied the epidemiological, laboratory and histological characteristics of a group of patients with positive antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) as determined by third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and with indeterminate HCV antibody positivity as established by third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-3). The results obtained were compared with those recorded in a group of RIBA-3-positive patients. Both groups correspond to blood donors in whom the prevalence of hepatitis C is low. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in mean age, or in the presence of infection risk factors. RNA positivity was much more frequent in the RIBA-positive group (71% vs 10%; P < 0.05), as was transaminase elevation during the 3 years of follow-up (54% vs 13%; P < 0.05). In 46% of the RIBA-indeterminate patients the liver biopsy proved normal, or only liver steatosis or minimal changes were detected, while 33% had persistent chronic hepatitis, and 21% showed active chronic hepatitis. A mean Knodell index score of 2.28 was recorded; 50% of the subjects showed no fibrosis, 46% grade 1 fibrosis (fibrous portal expansion), 4% grade 2 fibrosis (bridging fibrosis), and none grade 3 fibrosis (liver cirrhosis). In the RIBA-positive group, a greater percentage of patients had active chronic hepatitis, a greater Knodell index, and increased-grade fibrosis. It can be concluded that the RIBA-3-indeterminate group is epidemiologically similar to the RIBA-3-positive series, although with a lesser prevalence of laboratory test alterations, a lower viral replication index, and more likely to have benign disease – particularly in subjects without viral replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13520504
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Viral Hepatitis
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19714015
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00673.x