Aa
Study - still infectious after SVR?
Persistent HCV after SVR
Sustained virological response, or continued undetectable HCV viral load six months after completion of treatment, is widely considered a "cure." But active virus may persist at low levels, according to a study in the May 2009 Hepatology. In a laboratory study, S. MacParland and colleague assessed the infectivity of persistent HCV in cultured human T-cells. Naive lymphoid cells were exposed to plasma or supernatant material from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from nine sustained responders to interferon-based therapy. The researchers looked for HCV RNA positive and negative strands, as well as the HCV nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A), mutant HCV variants, and release of newly produced virus particles.
The investigators found that 11 of the 12 established cell cultures had detectable HCV RNA positive strands, and four also had evidence of negative strands produced during viral replication. NS5A was detected in the newly infected cells. Sequencing revealed HCV mutants not found in the original samples, another indicator of ongoing replication. Plasma from three patients elicited productive infection in culture cells. "HCV persisting at very low levels long after therapy-induced resolution of chronic hepatitis C can remain infectious," the researchers concluded.
Sustained virological response, or continued undetectable HCV viral load six months after completion of treatment, is widely considered a "cure." But active virus may persist at low levels, according to a study in the May 2009 Hepatology. In a laboratory study, S. MacParland and colleague assessed the infectivity of persistent HCV in cultured human T-cells. Naive lymphoid cells were exposed to plasma or supernatant material from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from nine sustained responders to interferon-based therapy. The researchers looked for HCV RNA positive and negative strands, as well as the HCV nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A), mutant HCV variants, and release of newly produced virus particles.
The investigators found that 11 of the 12 established cell cultures had detectable HCV RNA positive strands, and four also had evidence of negative strands produced during viral replication. NS5A was detected in the newly infected cells. Sequencing revealed HCV mutants not found in the original samples, another indicator of ongoing replication. Plasma from three patients elicited productive infection in culture cells. "HCV persisting at very low levels long after therapy-induced resolution of chronic hepatitis C can remain infectious," the researchers concluded.
Good for you for posting this, there seems to be a bury your head mentallity on here, with some people. I know if there was a possiblity of me being still infectious I would want to know. It also raises the question of is it really the right time to treat for some? I mean if it's not going to cure me should I really treat with such toxic drugs when it is possible that new agents may come on stream shortly (2 to 5 years) that may give better results with or without soc? I know it's an if or a maybe but it's something which should be considered.
I'm pretty sure that someone else posted this same extract recently.
My personal view is 'So what?'-the conclusion staes 'can' remain infectious-what does that mean?
Infection from people with active Hep C is vanishingly rare apart from high risk behaviour ,let alone some unproven technical possibility in SVRs.
My personal view is 'So what?'-the conclusion staes 'can' remain infectious-what does that mean?
Infection from people with active Hep C is vanishingly rare apart from high risk behaviour ,let alone some unproven technical possibility in SVRs.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
