LYMPHOCYTE-REACTIVITY TO HEPATITIS-C VIRUS (HCV) ANTIGENS SHOWS EVIDENCE FOR EXPOSURE TO HCV IN HCV-SERONEGATIVE SPOUSES OF HCV-INFECTED PATIENTS

Lymphocyte reactivity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens was stu died in 20 couples in which 1 member had chronic hepatitis C. This was done to investigate the possibility of HCV transmission between spous es that was not followed by seroconversion. Twenty healthy subjects wi thout any risk factors for HCV transmission served as negative control s, All the patients' spouses and the healthy controls were negative fo r HCV RNA and for anti-HCV antibody, Lymphocytes were cultured with re combinant HCV core and nonstructural antigens (c22, c33, c100, c200, a nd NS5) and with control antigens (sperm whale myoglobin, chicken lyso zyme, and superoxide dismutase). Lymphocytes from 10 patients and 4 se ronegative spouses proliferated in the presence of at least one HCV an tigen. No proliferation was shown with nonspecific antigens or in the control group, This study gives evidence for possible in vivo priming with HCV antigens that did not lead to seroconversion in spouses of HC V-positive patients.