BACKGROUND: The relationship between the complexity of the hypervariable region 1 quasispecies of HCV and responsiveness to therapy is not completely clear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the importance of quasispecies as a predictive factor of rapid (RVR), early (EVR) and sustained (SVR) virologic response. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 82 patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1, treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin. Quasispecies (SSCP), HCV-RNA and viral load were determined at baseline and 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after beginning treatment. RESULTS: Less fibrosis and lower serum GGT activity were the only predictive factors for EVR. SVR predictive factors were age < or =40 years, viral load < or =600,000IU/mL, and quasispecies < or =5 bands. By logistic regression analysis, the independent factors determining SVR were age (P=0.011), viral load (P=0.027), and quasispecies (P=0.010). Quasispecies and viral load were not predictive factors of RVR. During treatment, quasispecies decreased rapidly in the SVR group. In non-EVR patients, quasispecies were slightly lower up to 8 weeks and then increased. CONCLUSIONS: Quasispecies are an important predictive factor for SVR, but are no better predictors than viral load. Quasispecies are not predictive factors for RVR or EVR.
BACKGROUND: The relationship between the complexity of the hypervariable region 1 quasispecies of HCV and responsiveness to therapy is not completely clear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the importance of quasispecies as a predictive factor of rapid (RVR), early (EVR) and sustained (SVR) virologic response. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 82 patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1, treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin. Quasispecies (SSCP), HCV-RNA and viral load were determined at baseline and 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after beginning treatment. RESULTS: Less fibrosis and lower serum GGT activity were the only predictive factors for EVR. SVR predictive factors were age < or =40 years, viral load < or =600,000IU/mL, and quasispecies < or =5 bands. By logistic regression analysis, the independent factors determining SVR were age (P=0.011), viral load (P=0.027), and quasispecies (P=0.010). Quasispecies and viral load were not predictive factors of RVR. During treatment, quasispecies decreased rapidly in the SVR group. In non-EVR patients, quasispecies were slightly lower up to 8 weeks and then increased. CONCLUSIONS: Quasispecies are an important predictive factor for SVR, but are no better predictors than viral load. Quasispecies are not predictive factors for RVR or EVR.
Authors: Aarthi Chary; Mark A Winters; Shyam Kottilil; Alison A Murphy; Michael A Polis; Mark Holodniy Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2010-09-15 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Anu Osinusi; Aarthi Chary; Mark A Winters; Susanna Naggie; Henry Masur; Michael A Polis; Shyam Kottilil; Mark Holodniy Journal: J Med Virol Date: 2012-10 Impact factor: 2.327
Authors: Ahmed A Al-Qahtani; George Kessie; Damian Dela Cruz; Faleh Z Al-Faleh; Mohammed N Al-Ahdal Journal: Ann Saudi Med Date: 2010 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 1.526
Authors: Kenneth E Sherman; Susan D Rouster; Sandra Stanford; Jason T Blackard; Norah Shire; Margaret Koziel; Marion Peters; Raymond T Chung Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 5.226