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[Study of expression of hepatitis C virus antigens and viral replication in extrahepatic tissues].

OBJECTIVE
To explore the state of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and replication in extrahepatic tissues and its significance in hepatitis C patients.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used respectively to detect HCV antigens (NS3, NS5 and CP10) and HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand in kidney, heart, pancreas, and intestine from 9 hepatitis C patients.


RESULTS
Positive staining for HCV NS3, NS5 and CP10 in extrahepatic tissues was found in 6 of the 9 (66.7%) patients. The expression of HCV antigens was observed only in plasma of cells. The amount of positive-staining cells was less and there were a few differences between the kind, amounts and distribution of HCV antigen-positive-staining cells in different extrahepatic tissues. HCV RNA was detected in extrahepatic tissues from all the patients by RT-PCR. The detection rates of HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand were 64.5% and 35.5% in 31 extrahepatic tissues specimens, respectively. The positive of HCV RNA positive-and negative-strand detection was coincident with that of HCV antigens detection in these tissues (Kappa>0.40).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a possible presence of HCV infection and replication in extrahepatic tissues. Low-level of HCV extrahepatic infection and replication is possibly a major cause of a low positive rate and inconsistent results of HCV detection in extrahepatic tissues.