[Use of PCR for detection of positive (genomic) and negative (replicative) RNA chains of hepatitis C virus in the serum, lymphocytes, and liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C]. / Vyiavlenie pozitivnykh (genomnykh) i negativnykh (replikativnykh) tsepei RNK virusa gepatita C v syvorotke krovi, limfotsitakh i tkani pecheni bol'nykh khronicheskim gepatitom C s pomoshch'iu polimeraznoi tsepnoi reaktsii.

The presence of viral RNA in liver tissue and peripheral blood serum and lymphocytes of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was studied by polymerase chain reaction with nested primers on the 5'-untranslated region of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome. Positive (genome) RNA was more often detected in the liver (81% cases) than in the peripheral blood serum (55%) or lymphocytes (64%). Active replication of HCV (presence of negative RNA chains) was observed only in the liver (in 37% cases). Correlation between the frequency of HCV RNA detection in the liver, blood cells and sera and parameters of the inflammatory process activity (SGPT level, histologic activity index and sclerosis index) was investigated. No relationship between the studied parameters was revealed. Positive correlation between the presence of HCV genome RNA in lymphocytes and serum was detected. A tendency to a decrease in the incidence of replicative RNA of the virus in liver tissue with increase in the activity of chronic hepatitis C was observed.