Objective To study the hepatocyte cells infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive serum. Methods Human hepatocyte 7701 was incubated with HCV RNA-positive and HCV antibody(Ab) negative sera BP52. Then, the expression of HCV antigen and the presence of HCV-RNA in cell and supernatant were assayed by RT-PCR, sequence analysis, immunofluorescent staining, Western blot, confocal laser microscopy. The ultrastructural changes of infected cells were observed by electro-microscopy. Results Plus-strand RNA and minus-strand RNA were intermittently detected in cell and/or supernatant on day 7-45 after infection. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the positive DNA nucleic acids were identified with HCV 5′-non-coding region(NCR) sequence. HCV core and NS3 protein were expressed in cytoplasm of infected cells. After 2 or 3 weeks, obvious intracellular ultrastructural changes and virus-like particles were observed. Conclusion human hepatocyte 7701 could support replication of HCV in vitro, which could be a useful tool for setting up cell model of HCV infection and studying the mechanism of HCV infection.

Objective To compare and analyze the sensitivity,specificity of 4 domestic ELISA kits for detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers (HBsAg,anti-HBs,HBeAg,anti-HBe,and anti-HBc).Methods Five hundred and ninety four serum samples collected from patients with chronic hepatitis B and abnormal blood donors were detected for HBV markers and by 4 domestic ELISA kits.Samples with conflicting results by different diagnostic kits were retested.Samples with the HBsAg values close to the cut-off point were detected by Abbott HBsAg confirmation kit (Architect HBsAg confirm).Sensitivity of the kits was determined,using the national sensitivity reference panels for HBsAg,anti-HBs,HBeAg,anti-HBe and anti-HBc.Results The rates of sensitivity on 4 domestic kits for detection of HBsAg were 4 to 10 times lower,and on the 4 domestic kits for detection of anti-HBs,HBeAg,anti-HBc and anti-HBc were 4 to 16 times lower,as compared to Abbott Architect kits.In addition,the domestic HBV ELISA kits had some false positive results.The total coincidence rates of HBsAg,anti-HBs,HBeAg,anti-HBe,anti-HBc were 96.46%-98.15%,94.28%-98.15%,98.15%-99.49%,90.07%-96.30%,92.09%-96.80%,respectively.Conclusion Both sensitivity and specificity of the domestically produced HBV ELISA kits should be improved.