ABSTRACT
Besides hepatocytes, representing the main replication site of hepatitis C virus, peripheral blood mononuclear cells also represent a crucial target for viral infection. Hepatitis C virus compartmentalization (i.e., non-random distribution) of viral variants between plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, more frequently observed in liver transplant patients compared to non-transplanted patients, makes liver transplantation an interesting model for the analysis of hepatitis C leukotropism. This article aims to present, firstly, in clinical and biological features arguing favour of hepatitis C virus infection leukotropism and, secondly, to review current knowledge about compartmentalization between plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, especially in the liver transplantation setting.
Subject(s)
Hepacivirus/growth & development , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology , Liver Transplantation , Blood Cells/virology , Cohort Studies , Cryoglobulinemia/virology , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepacivirus/isolation & purification , Hepacivirus/physiology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications , Hepatitis C, Chronic/surgery , Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology , Hepatocytes/virology , Humans , Liver/virology , Liver Cirrhosis/etiology , Liver Cirrhosis/surgery , Liver Cirrhosis/virology , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/virology , Organ Specificity , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics , Virus ReplicationABSTRACT
Cirrhosis due to chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), associated or not to a primary hepatocarcinoma, has become the first indication of liver transplantation. Graft reinfection by HCV is considered to be systematic while its prognosis is variable from one patient to another. A better knowledge of factors implicated in the occurrence and severity of hepatitis C recurrence is crucial in order to make optimal patients' monitoring. This article aims to present available data in this field, clarifying the role of viral factors (viral load, genotype, evolution of viral quasispecies) and host-related factors (immune response) which could take part in the development of hepatitis C recurrence.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis C, Chronic/physiopathology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/surgery , Liver Transplantation , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/epidemiology , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/virology , RecurrenceABSTRACT
A descriptive multivariate assay is described which is suitable to analyze results of a biological experiment with small sample size but high qualitative and quantitative complexity of variables. This type of assay allows evaluation of multiple variables observed in the course of an experimental virus infection (e.g. viremia, nucleic acid detection, antibody titers, clinical parameters, anti-microbial treatments or vaccination) in a single graph. In our study, a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to correlate a total of 145 measurements from each of a dozen of variables measured in five groups of three cats infected by five isolates of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Three groups of virus isolates with distinct virulence were defined and correlation between dynamics of lymphocyte subset counts and viral virulence was established. Comparison between the primary stages of illness and follow-up examinations were of prognostic value and are thus helpful for development and monitoring of therapeutic strategies.