Abstract
Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), investigated by second- and third-generation assays, were detected in 74% of 43 children with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. The polymerase chain reaction identified HCV ribonucleic acid in 26 (93%) of 28 seropositive and in 1 of 10 seronegative cases. Intermittent HCV ribonucleic acid positivity, suggesting low and fluctuating viremia, was frequent in younger patients.
MeSH terms
-
Adolescent
-
Child
-
Child, Preschool
-
Chronic Disease
-
Female
-
Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
-
Hepacivirus / physiology
-
Hepatitis Antibodies / analysis*
-
Hepatitis C / genetics
-
Hepatitis C / immunology
-
Hepatitis C / virology*
-
Hepatitis C Antibodies
-
Humans
-
Male
-
Polymerase Chain Reaction*
-
RNA, Viral / analysis
-
Viremia / genetics
-
Viremia / immunology
-
Viremia / virology*
-
Virus Replication
Substances
-
Hepatitis Antibodies
-
Hepatitis C Antibodies
-
RNA, Viral