Full-length article re: post-SVR study of occult/persistent in liver

[TnHepGuy_]

For those with an interest, here's the full article of the recent study by Castillo, et al:

<a href="http://www.natap.org/2006/HCV/120606_11.htm">Hepatitis C Virus Replicates in the Liver of Patients Who Have a Sustained Response to Antiviral Treatment</a>


From the paper:

"<i>We also found that the loads of positive- and negative-strand HCV RNA in our patients were significantly higher in PBMC samples than in liver biopsy samples, which suggests that the HCV strain detected in our sustained responders replicates more efficiently in PBMCs than in livers.</i>"

"<i>...15 patients had continued liver necroinflammation, and 1 patient had liver fibrosis; however, there was an overall improvement in histological damage. So, it is difficult to know whether persistence of HCV infection and replication has a clinical relevance until more data become available.</i>"

"<i>In summary, HCV persists and replicates in the livers and PBMCs of a high percentage of patients who received antiviral treatment for years after normalization of liver enzyme levels and clearance of serum HCV RNA. Although it may be suspected that the risk of HCV reactivation is smaller than the risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation, persistence of HCV in these patients should be taken into account under special circumstances (e.g., immunosuppression or chemotherapy).</i>"


TnHepGuy

[honey11]

yes I do feel fortunate to be SVR but reading this,,,always does make you wonder,,,what will become of us after being SVR say 5 to 10 years.  Really,,,it is something that we can not forget and I'm sure that all of us realize that we will always have an ongoing check in with our drs through the years and thats about the best we can do.  As far as leftover sides,,,knowing that others are experiencing same,,,this place is great for us to meet and keep up with ongoing health.  I have wondered also about transmission even though there is no viral load,,,I still am very cautious!

[mikesimon]

It ain't over till it's over but when is it ever over?
I agree that it's up to us to be vigilant and get LFTs annually etc. but overall I think SVRs are in very good shape - as long as they feel that way.
Mike

[cigaso]

...or anyone. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are PBMCs?

[DoubleDose]

I agree.  Now, if only I felt that way!!!!

DD

[cuteus]

TNGUY, is this the same study we read before?  it seems like it.  I know the significance of negative strands found, but what is the significance of positive strands?

[Moniker]

This is why we can't be organ donors or give blood - because of possible occult virus. But it shouldn't affect my own quality of life, and it's highly unlikely that I could pass hep c on to other people.

My PCR indicated clear <50 six months post tx. I feel very well now, better than before tx, and I don't have that old pre-tx fatigue. I'm glad I treated; my doctor said I'm "cured" of hep c now. I really want to get on with my life. I've got to stop thinking about hep c so much. I hope I can just move along to other stuff. Best of luck to all of us.

Bob