HCV-RNA LEVELS INCREASE DURING PREGNANCY IN WOMEN WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decline during pregnancy in wome n chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In order to under stand further the underlying mechanisms, we prospectively followed 10 chronically infected nomen before, during and after pregnancy. ALT Lev els were analysed together with quantification of serum HCV-RNA using the branched DNA technology. As anticipated, the ALT levels significan tly declined late in pregnancy and increased again after delivery. HCV -RNA levels, conversely, significantly increased late in pregnancy and returned to baseline levels 1 y after delivery. These findings sugges t the importance of immune mediated mechanisms in controlling the vira l replication and contributing to the Liver injury in chronic hepatiti s C.