Replication priority of hepatitis C virus genotype 2a in a Chinese cohort

HCV genotypes have been documented in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine the replication priority of different HCV genotypes in a Chinese HCV positive cohort. Serum samples from 491 apparently healthy Chinese blood donors testing positive for HCV antibodies and naive to antiviral drug therapy were tested. Genotyping analysis showed that genotypes 1b and 2a were predominant and accounted for 77.6% of the HCV infections. Among the genotype groups, individuals infected with genotype 2a had an HCV RNA viral load (10(8) copies/mL) about 200-fold (lg, 2.3) greater than those infected with other genotypes (10(4)-10(5) copies/mL) indicating a replication priority of genotype 2a. However, there was no correlation between HCV genotype and antibody response suggesting that the amplification advantage of genotype 2a results from a favorable interaction with the host cellular environment. In conclusion, HCV genotypes 1b and 2a are the predominant genotypes in China and genotype 2a possesses a significant replication priority compared with the other genotypes. This suggests the existence of host cellular factors that may act as drug-targets for entirely clearing HCV infection in the future.

Study on prevalence of hepatitis C infection in healthy and high risk groups.

Background & objectives: Developing country like India shows high prevalence of hepatitis C on account of lack of universal precautions while treating patients. This kind of transmission is seen more in cases of Thalesemias on regular blood transfusion, with renal diseases on haemodialysis and co-infection with hepatitis B along with patients admitted in various wards for treatment. Study was conducted with the objective to find out prevalence of HCV infection in patients with hepatitis B, Thalesemias, patients undergoing haemodialysis, patients admitted in hospital for other diseases who are hepatitis B negative, Ante-natal cases and voluntary healthy blood donors. Methods: Blood was collected of 1040 persons from various groups with their consent. All the sera were tested for anti HCV antibody by ELISA and Signal HCV test. Results: Total twelve participants were found positive for HCV infection, majority were belonged to Thalesemic group and rest of the participants belonged to voluntary healthy blood donor group, patients of hepatitis B and patients on haemodialysis. Interpretation & conclusion: those who are at risk of getting Hepatitis C should undergo for HCV testing on regular interval.

Prevention of liver cancer: basic and clinical aspects

Cancer prevention is a challenging project both in the basic and clinical medicine. In particular, prevention of liver cancer is the most urgent task in countries where the incidence of hepatitis virus-related liver cancer is rising. As reviewed in this article, liver cancer is going to be the first cancer that will be actually prevented by primary and secondary interventions. Even the improvement of absolute survival of the patients can be expected by successful prevention, as already demonstrated in a few clinical trials. Thus, prevention of liver cancer is promising to provide not only cost-effectiveness by morbidity reduction but also cost-benefit by mortality improvement.