Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Candidates for Liver Transplant With Cryptogenic Cirrhosis

• DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.11290
• Publication Date: 2013-08-05T12:06:19Z
• Authors: Hossein Keyvani; Farah Bokharaei-S...; Seyed Hamidreza M...; Maryam Esghaei; Mohssen Nassiri T...; Shahin Fakhim; Zohreh-Azita Sagigh; Seyed Moayed Alavian
• Keywords: Hepatitis C; Occult

Background: Occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a new entity described by the presence of HCV-RNA in liver biopsy and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) specimens, and undetectable levels or absence anti HCV antibodies plasma current laboratory methods. Objectives: To evaluate detection PBMC specimens transplant candidates with cryptogenic cirrhosis reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR). Patients Methods: From November 2007 to March 2013, 45 patients from Liver Transplant Center Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, were enrolled this cross sectional study. separated sample. After extraction RNA status was tested RT-nested PCR. The 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) genotyping amplified performed standard methodology INNO-LiPATM II kit. PCR products 5′-UTR sequenced after cloning into pJET1.2 / blunt vector. Results: Of patients, 4 (8.9% [95% CI: 4.4-15.6]) had detectable genomic their specimens. genotypes determined PBMCs these subjects showed that 2 (50.0%) occult subtype 3a, 1b. Conclusions: This study found 8.9 % Iranian for infection. Therefore, designing prospective studies focusing on diagnosis prior transplantation could be valuable.