Abstract | UNLABELLED: METHODS: Natural IFN-alpha was administered to 22 patients with chronic hepatitis C due to HCV subtype 1b and their serum HCV- RNA levels were examined using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The HCV 5'UTR sequence was determined by direct sequencing, and variations of the putative secondary structure were detected by analyzing single-strand confirmation polymorphisms (SSCP) in the patient's sera. RESULTS: Five of the 22 patients (22%) were complete responders to IFN and eradicated HCV- RNA from their sera and 17/22 (78%) were nonresponders in whom HCV- RNA persisted. The SSCP electrophoretic results predicted the efficacy of IFN therapy: the complete responders showed greater pattern diversity than the nonresponders. The serum HCV- RNA level correlated with the SSCP electrophoretic pattern: patients with the IFN-resistant SSCP electrophoretic pattern had higher levels than the others (10.1+/-2.4 vs 1.2+/-0.4 Meq/ml; p<0.001). Sequencing analysis suggested three one-point mutations influence alteration of the secondary structure. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | K Suzuki, H Shinzawa, M Kuboki, M Ishibashi, E Yoshii, T Saito, T Takahashi |
Journal | Liver
(Liver)
Vol. 18
Issue 5
Pg. 331-6
(Oct 1998)
ISSN: 0106-9543 [Print] Denmark |
PMID | 9831362
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- 5' Untranslated Regions
- DNA Primers
- Interferon-alpha
- RNA, Viral
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Topics |
- 5' Untranslated Regions
(analysis)
- Adult
- Aged
- Base Sequence
- DNA Primers
(chemistry)
- Female
- Hepacivirus
(genetics)
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(drug therapy, virology)
- Humans
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
- RNA, Viral
(genetics)
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Treatment Outcome
- Viremia
(drug therapy)
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