Full or partial seroreversion in patients infected by hepatitis C virus

J Infect Dis. 1997 Feb;175(2):316-22. doi: 10.1093/infdis/175.2.316.

Abstract

Cases of partial seroreversion have been reported in hemodialyzed or immunodepressed patients, but spontaneous clearance of viremia associated with a disappearance of specific antibodies or clearance while receiving therapy has not been precisely documented in immunocompetent hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons. A longitudinal study of markers of HCV infection in a cohort of 178 multitransfused patients followed over an 8-year period was done to establish well-documented cases of partial or full seroreversion. Thirty (16.8%) of 178 patients were HCV-infected; among them, 5 had partial or full seroreversion. Seroreversion to an anti-HCV-negative state is characterized by a quantitative decrease in antibody. A seroreversion may be observed in three circumstances: spontaneously, induced by therapy, and in conjunction with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Long-term follow-up of seroreverters will establish whether they have definitively eradicated HCV from their systems.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / analysis
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Interferon-gamma / therapeutic use
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Serologic Tests*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Alanine Transaminase