Immunoglobulin M antibody response to hepatitis C virus core protein in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
96
Journal Issue
10
Pages
825-828
Date Issued
1997
Author(s)
Abstract
We retrospectively assessed the frequency and clinicopathologic and virologic significance of production of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Sera from 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C were tested for IgM anti-HCVcore (anti-HCc). Twenty of these patients received ribavirin plus interferon-α for 24 weeks, and were classified as sustained, transient, or nonresponders on the basis of alanine aminotransferase levels and the presence of HCV RNA at the end of treatment and 24 weeks later. IgM anti-HCc was detected in 21 patients. There was no correlation between the presence of IgM anti-HCc and clinical features such as sex, age, mode of transmission, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, HCV genotype serum HCV titer, or histologic findings. Among the patients who received ribavirin plus interferon-α, the mean IgM anti-HCc level before therapy was comparable between sustained (n = 10), transient (n = 8), and nonresponders (n = 2). A statistically significant decrease in IgM anti-HCc response during antiviral therapy was observed in the 18 responders who became negative for serum HCV RNA at the end of therapy. These data suggest that ISM anti-HCc is of limited clinical usefulness as a marker of chronic HCV infection. Serial testing for IgM anti-HCc mar provide a marker of antiviral response.
SDGs
Other Subjects
alanine aminotransferase; alpha interferon; biochemical marker; core protein; immunoglobulin M antibody; ribavirin; adult; aged; antibody response; article; clinical feature; female; genotype; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; human; male
Publisher
Elsevier
Type
journal article