Objective: To understand the infection status and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in people aged 1-69 years in Henan Province in 2020. Methods: The estimated sample size was 5 827. From August to December 2020, multistage sampling was used to select 8 counties (districts) in Henan, and two survey sites were selected in each county (district), and a questionnaire survey was conducted in local people aged 1-69 years, blood samples were collected from them for anti-HCV, HCV RNA and genotype detections. Results: A total of 5 165 people aged 1-69 years completed the questionnaire survey. Men accounted for 44.76% (2 312/5 165), women accounted for 55.24% (2 853/5 165). In the people aged 1-69 years, the overall prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA were 0.69% (95%CI: 0.68%-0.70%) and 0.20% (95%CI: 0.19%-0.21%) respectively. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA were 0.48% (95%CI: 0.46%-0.50%), 0.09% (95%CI: 0.08%-0.10%) in men and 0.86% (95%CI: 0.85%-0.87%), 0.30% (95%CI: 0.28%-0.32%) in women. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA increased with age. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA were 0.87% (95%CI: 0.86%-0.88%), 0.28% (95%CI: 0.26%-0.30%) in urban residents and 0.53% (95%CI: 0.51%-0.55%), 0.14% (95%CI: 0.13%-0.15%) in rural residents. The genotyping results of 10 HCV RNA positive samples ware genotype 1b (4/10), genotype 2 (3/10), genotype 1b/3 (1/10), genotype 1b/3/6 (1/10) and genotype 2/6 (1/10). Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis C was low in Henan in 2020. It is necessary to strengthen hepatitis C surveillance in people aged 40 years and above. The major HCV genotypes were 1b and 2, and mixed genotype infection existed.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Coinfection ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus/genetics* ; Hepatitis C/epidemiology* ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/genetics* ; Prevalence ; RNA, Viral/genetics* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between patient survival and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C remains unclear. The aims of this study were to compare the characteristics of patients with and without BPAR and to identify risk factors for BPAR. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 169 HCV-RNA-positive patients who underwent LT at three centers. RESULTS: BPAR occurred in 39 (23.1%) of the HCV-RNA-positive recipients after LT. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 92.1%, 90.3%, and 88.5%, respectively, in patients without BPAR, and 75.7%, 63.4%, and 58.9% in patients with BPAR (P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that BPAR was associated with the non-use of basiliximab and tacrolimus and the use of cyclosporin in LT recipients with HCV RNA-positive. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that the immunosuppression status of HCV-RNA-positive LT recipients should be carefully determined in order to prevent BPAR and to improve patient survival.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Cyclosporine/therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Genotype ; Graft Rejection/mortality/*prevention & control ; Hepacivirus/genetics/isolation & purification ; Hepatitis C/drug therapy/*virology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/*therapeutic use ; *Liver Transplantation/adverse effects ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral/blood ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/therapeutic use ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tacrolimus/therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and rate of natural viral clearance in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection acquired by blood transfusion from a single donor.

METHODSNinety-six patients who acquired HCV infection between January 1998 and December 2002, upon receipt of donated blood from a single infected individual in Guizhou,were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients were clinically assessed to determine levels of anti-HCV antibodies, HCV RNA and biochemical indicators of liver function,as well as features of liver structure (by abdominal B ultrasonography and elastography). HCV genetic testing was used to determine the virus genotype. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Count data were analyzed by the x² test,with P less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance.

RESULTSAll 96 patients tested positive for antiHCV antibodies. The majority of patients (70%; 34:33 male:female) had HCV RNA more than or equal to 1.0 * 103 copies/ml. All patients carried the same HCV genotype as the single blood donor:genotype lb. The overall rate of natural HCV clearance was 30.2%. but males had a significantly lower rate (19.0% (8/42) vs. females:38.9% (21/54);x²=4.41,P=0.023) as did older patients (more than 40 years-old:16.1% (5/31) vs .less than or equal to 40 years-old:36.9% (24/65);x²=4.30,P=0.028). The overall rate of chronic HCV infection (CHC) was 69.8%,but the rate was significantly lower in younger patients (less than or equal to 40 years-old:63.1% (41/65) vs. more than 40 years-old:83.9% (26/31);x²=6.67,P=0.028). Among the 67 patients with CHC,12 had symptoms of mild weakness,anorexia and abdominal distention,11 had elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (116.25 +/- 24.65 U/L) and stage 3 or 4 fibrosis (liver elasticity values more than or equal to 5.1 kPa),and three had mildly abnormal serum bilirubin (32.56 ± 5.28 mumol/L). Fifteen patients showed signs of chronic hepatitis and one patient showed signs of cirrhosis by abdominal B ultrasonography. None of the patients showed signs of hepatocellular carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONThe course of blood transfusion acquired HCV infection is largely unknown and natural viral clearance rate may be associated with sex-and age-related factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Donors ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; physiology ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; virology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Transfusion Reaction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody measurement as a clinical approach to determine the infection status and potential for spontaneous-resolution among patients with HCV mono-infection and HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection.

METHODSA total of 340 individuals who tested positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies and/or serum anti-HW antibodies were enrolled for study in 2009 from a single village in central China. Markers of liver function (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and infection (anti-HCV antibodies, CD4⁺ T cell counts, HCV genotype, and HCV viral load) were measured at baseline and follow-up (in July 2012). At follow-up,the subjects were grouped according to ongoing HCV mono-infection (n=129), ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection (n=98), spontaneously resolved (SR)-HCV in mono-infection (n=65), and SR-HCV in HCV/HIV co-infection (n=48) for statistical analysis.

RESULTSAlmost all of the subjects in the ongoing HCV mono-infection group showed high levels of HCV antibodies (S/CO more than or equal to 10), but the majority of the subjects in the SR-HCV in mono-infection group and in the ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection group. The SR-HCV mono-infection group showed a remarkable decrease in HCV antibodies from 2009 (HIV:7.75 ± 3.8; HIV+:7.61 ± 3.47) to 2012 (HIV:5.51 ± 3.67; HIW:4.93 ± 3.35) (HIV:t =10.67, P less than 0.01; HIV+:t =9.52, P less than 0.01). The ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection group showed a positive correlation between HCV antibodies S/CO ratio and CD4⁺ T cell count (r=028, P=0.008). In the ongoing HCV mono-infection group,the levels of HCV antibodies were significantly higher in individuals infected with HCV-1b than in those with HCV-2a (14.74 ± 1.68 vs.14.08 ± 1.44, t=2.20, P=0.03). In the ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection group, the numbers of subjects with elevated (more than 40 U/L) liver function markers were significantly different according to the HCV genotype infection:HCV-1b:ALT, 25/42 vs.16/56 (x²=9.45, P=0.002); HCV2a:AST, 28/42 vs.18/56 (x²=11.49, P=0.001). The HCV RNA positive rate was significantly higher in subjects with high HCV antibody cutoff values (S/CO more than or equal to 10) than in those with low HCV antibody (S/CO less than 10) (HIV:128/151 vs.1/43, x²=102.11, P less than 0.01; HIV+:88/98 vs.10/48, x²=69.44, P less than 0.01), regardless of HIV co-infection. Significantly more subjects in the ongoing HCV mono-infection group had elevated (more than 40 U/L) ALT or AST than the subjects in the SR-HCV mono-infection group with high levels of HCV antibody (S/CO more than or equal to 10) (ALT:57/128 vs.2/23, x²=10.52, P=0.001; AST:57/128 vs.0/23, x²=16.45, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSerum HCV antibody levels, in combination with other clinical information such as liver function and HIV infection status, may aid in the preliminarily evaluation of an individual's HCV infection status and likelihood for spontaneous resolution. Low levels of HCV antibody (S/CO less than 10) may indicate a better chance of SR-HCV, after ruling out the possibility of suffering from immunosuppressive diseases such as HIV infection.

Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; China ; epidemiology ; Coinfection ; immunology ; virology ; Female ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; immunology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Serologic Tests ; Viral Load

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To identify the predicting factors of present hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with positivity for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV). METHODS: We analyzed patients who showed positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results and performed an HCV RNA test as a confirmatory test at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from June 2006 to July 2012. The features distinguishing the groups with positive and negative HCV RNA results were reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 490 patients were included. The results of the HCV RNA test were positive and negative in 228 and 262 patients, respectively. The index value of anti-HCV, mean age, platelet counts, total bilirubin, prothrombin time international normalized ratio, albumin and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels differed significantly between the two groups. On multivariable analysis, an index value of anti-HCV >10 [odds ratio (OR)=397.27, P<0.001), ALT >40 IU/L (OR=3.64, P=0.001), and albumin <3.8 g/dL (OR=2.66, P=0.014) were related to present HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Although EIA is not a quantitative test, considering the anti-HCV titer with ALT and albumin levels may be helpful in predicting present of HCV infection.
Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Bilirubin/blood ; Female ; Hepacivirus/genetics ; Hepatitis C/*diagnosis ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/*blood ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Platelet Count ; Predictive Value of Tests ; RNA, Viral/analysis ; Serum Albumin/analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of occult HBV infection depends on the prevalence of HBV infection in the general population. Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk for HBV infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Total of 98 patients undergoing hemodialysis in CHA Bundang Medical Center (Seongnam, Korea) were included. Liver function tests and analysis of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HCV were performed. HBV DNA testing was conducted by using two specific quantitative methods. RESULTS: HBsAg was detected in 4 of 98 patients (4.1%), and they were excluded. Among 94 patients with HBsAg negative and anti-HCV negative, one (1.1%) patient with the TaqMan PCR test and 3 (3.2%) patients with the COBAS Amplicor HBV test were positive for HBV DNA. One patient was positive in both methods. Two patients were positive for both anti-HBs and anti-HBc and one patient was negative for both anti-HBs and anti-HBc. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed the prevalence of occult HBV infection in HBsAg negative and anti-HCV negative patients on hemodialysis at our center was 3.2%. Because there is possibility of HBV transmission in HBsAg negative patients on hemodialysis, more attention should be given to prevent HBV transmission.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies/blood ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Feces/*virology ; Female ; Hepatitis B/complications/*epidemiology/transmission ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens/immunology ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics/immunology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*complications/diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors

We recently developed a mouse model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection by intravenous (i.v.) injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV to C57BL/6 mice. To define the responses of different mouse strains after injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV, we intravenously injected rAAV8-1. 3HBV at doses of 4 x10(9) (Viral genome,vg), 4 x 10(10) vg and 4 x 10(11) vg to C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice,respectively, and determined the levels of serum HBV antigen and antibody by ELISA,serum viral DNA by real-time PCR,and HBcAg expression in liver by immunohistochemical staining. For C57BL/6 mouse strain with injection of rAAV8-1. 3HBV at three doses, 100% of the mice carried HBV for more than 8 months. The levels of serum HBsAg and HBeAg, serum viral DNA and HBcAg-positive hepatocytes increased in a rAAV8-1. 3HBV dose-dependent manner. For C57BL/6 mice injected with rAAV8-1. 3HBV at the dose of 4 x 10(11) vg,over 40% of hepatocytes expressed HBcAg and serum viral DNA reached over 10(5) IU/mL. No HBV antibody was detected in sera of C57BL/6 mice. For BALB/c mice with injection of rAAV8-1. 3HBV at three doses, serum HBeAg, serum viral DNA and HBcAg-positive hepatocytes persisted for more than 8 months, but serum HBsAg declined remarkably at 2 weeks after injection. The levels of serum HBeAg and HBcAg-positive hepatocytes in BALB/c mice increased in a rAAV8-1. 3HBV dose-dependent manner. Injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV at the dose of 4 x 10(11) vg resulted in over 50% of BALB/c mice hepatocytes expressing HBcAg. Serum anti-HBsAg were detected in BALB/c mice with rAAV8-1. 3HBV injection at the dose of 4 x10 (10) vg. In conclusion, both C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains can be developed to chronic HBV infection mouse models by i. v. injection with rAAV8-1. 3HBV at doses of 4 x10(9) - 4 x 10(11) vg and the levels of HBV replication increase in a rAAV8-1. 3HBV dose-dependent manner. In contrast to C57BL/6 strain, the BALB/c mice carry out humoral immunity to HBsAg, but fail to mediate HBV clearance.
Animals ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Hepatocytes ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transduction, Genetic ; Virus Replication

To investigate the adjuvant effect of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in Flaviviridae virus DNA vaccines. After DNA immunization, the antibody levels of serum from mice were detected by ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence assay. Co-immunization of GM-CSF suppressed the immune responses induced by DV1 and DV2 candidate vaccines whereas enhanced the immune response induced by HCV C and E1 DNA vaccines. As genetic adjuvant for DNA vaccines, GM-CSF might display complex diversity on the immune responses: an augmentation or suppression due to different immunogens. Therefore, GM-CSF should be used with some cautions in clinic.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; DNA, Viral ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Dengue ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Dengue Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Dengue Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

To develop a new Hepatitis C virus (HCV) DNA vaccine ,We explored strategies for optimizing the immunogenicity of HCV DNA vaccine in fusion with dendritic cell-targeting molecules (scDEC, a single-chain antibody against the murine DC cell surface molecule DEC205). We constructed the DNA vaccine plasmids expressing the HCV non-structural protein NS3 alone or in combination with DEC205 as a fusion protein and identified the expression of the molecules of interest by transient transfection of 293 cells with the resultant DNA vaccine plasmids. Then BALB/C mice were immunized with these plasmids by the injection in combination with electroporation. The NS3-specific IgG antibody(ELISA) and cellular immunity (IFN-gamma ELISPOT) were analyzed post twice immunization. Our results showed that: the single-chain antibody against DEC205 fused with vaccine antigen NS3 significantly enhanced the immunogenicity of new HCV DNA vaccine, the intradermal injection in combination with electroporation using caliper electrodes resulted in most robust NS3-specific antibody and T cell immune response. In conclusion,immune response for the HCV NS3 protein-encoding DNA vaccine was enhanced significantly when targeting antigen NS3 to DCs by scDEC. The present strategy could merit further study in the context of other prophylactic and therapeutic DNA based vaccines.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; virology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay ; Female ; HIV Antibodies ; immunology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immunization effects of HBV core antigen and surface antigen fusion protein.

METHODSThe DNA fragments encoding HBsAg 100-162 aa; HBcAg 1-78 aa and HBcAg 83-144 aa were PCR-amplified, and then cloned into pcDNA3 plasmid. The chimeric gene was subcloned into the prokaryotic vector, pRSET-B. The E.coli expressed recombinant protein purified. BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant protein or eukaryotic expression plasmid, humoral response and cellular response were examined.

RESULTSThe plasmid containing the chimeric gene of HBsAg and HBcAg induced effective anti-HBs antibody response and strong HBcAg specific lymphocyte proliferative response, but could not induce anti-HBc antibody response. Fusion protein induced strong anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibody response, and it also caused significant HBcAg specific lymphocyte proliferation. Compared to the recombinant fusion protein, the plasmid containing the chimeric gene of HBsAg and HBcAg can induce more effective cellular response but weaker humoral response.

CONCLUSIONCompared to the recombinant fusion protein, the plasmid containing the chimeric gene of HBsAg and HBcAg is a more effective vaccine.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Viroids ; genetics