Detection of HCV and GBV-CHGV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells ofpatients with chronic type C hepatitis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) viraemia were investiga ted by RT-PCR protocols in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 22 patients with chronic type C hepatitis. Samplings were at basal and 4-8 mon ths after a 12 month period of treatment with interferon-a. A plus strand o f HCV in PBMC was detected in 8 of 21 patients (38%) (8 <0.05; chi(2) test) with a lack of response to therapy; a minus strand was detected in 10% of chronic type C hepatitis and 25% of the patients harboured HCV RNA in PBMC. The association with a response was nearly significant (p <0.1; chi(2) tes t). GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected in the serum of 9 of 21 (43%) patients and i n PBMC of 20% of the patients viraemic. Genomic sequences of GBVC/HGV in PB MC were found, but further investigation is needed to assess the findings r eported for HCV.