Occult hepatitis C infection identified in injection drug users with direct antiviral agents therapy and spontaneous resolution of hepatitis C virus infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Occult hepatitis C infection (OCI) is characterized by the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in hepatocytes and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) without detection in serum. We aimed to evaluate OCI in drug and no drug users who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and with HCV spontaneous resolution.

Methods

Twenty-four patients in the AVP group (who achieved a SVR after DAAs therapy), 13 in the NAVP group (with HCV spontaneous resolution) and 7 HCV-RNA positive patients (CPP, control positive group) were included in the study. HCV/OCI-RNA was screened in serum and PBMCs samples of the patients by ddPCR for OCI patients' identification. Plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) samples of the

SUBMITTER: Silva E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10194197 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature