SIGNIFICANCE OF HEPATIC EXPRESSION OF HEPATITIS-C VIRAL-ANTIGENS IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

To determine the significance of hepatic expression of hepatitis C vir al (HCV) antigens, HCV core and NS4 antigens were detected by immunohi stochemistry in 46 patients with chronic HCV infection. Serum HCV RNA was quantitated by branched DNA assay in 41 and HCV genotype determine d in 30 patients. HCV core and NS4 antigens were detected exclusively in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes in 83% and 61% of patients, respective ly. There was no correlation between the expression of HCV antigens an d clinical, biochemical, histological parameters and HCV genotype, Hep atic expression of HCV antigens was positively associated with serum H CV-RNA levels (P < 0.02). At the end of interferon-cr (IFN) therapy, e xpression of HCV antigens remained either unchanged or decreased in 11 /12 patients studied (undetectable in all four patients who had comple te and sustained response), We conclude that hepatic expression of HCV core and NS4 antigens parallels serum HCV-RNA levels and IFN therapy reduces hepatic expression of these viral antigens.