Influence of hepatitis C virus genotypes and F protein on outcome of HCV infection among injection drug users

摘要

The aim of the study was to investigate whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and F protein influence the outcome of HCV infection among drug users. Total 168 injection drug users(IDUs) with HCV persistent infection and 192 IDUs with HCV self-limiting infection were investigated. HCV genotyping of IDUs with persistent infection was performed by using the Innolipa HCV Ⅱ line probe assay. Sera from IDUs with HCV self-limiting infection were tested for type-specific antibodies to HCV genotypes 1-6 by using the MUREX HCV Serotyping 1-6 Assay. The purified recombinant protein (HCV-F/GST) was coated onto microtiter plates as antigen. The secondary antibodies were horse radish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated goat anti-human IgG. Sera of 360 IDUs were tested by indirect ELISA for detecting anti-HCV-F antibodies. There were significant differences in gender between the groups of IDUs with HCV persistent infection and those with HCV self-limiting infection (P =0.026). No differences in anti-HCV-F postive between the two groups were found, with the exception that anti-HCV-F postive in persistent infection was slightly higher than that in self-limiting infection (36. 3% vs 27.6%). Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that male(0R= 1. 43, 95% CI = 1. 03~2. 49, P=0.032), HCV genotype 1 (OR=4. 18, 95% CI=2. 14-8. 13, P=0.000 1) and HCV-F antibody (OR = 1. 73, 95%CI=1. 08~2. 47, P=0. 047) were independent risk factors for HCV persistent infection. Conclusion: The results indicate that besides HCV-F antibody, other factors including HCV genotype and sex also influence the outcome of HCV infection. This is the first study to show the association between HCV genotype, HCV F protein and the risk for HCV persistent infection among IDUs.