BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is detectable in a proportion of patients with autoimmune hepatitis type 2, which is characterized by liver-kidney microsomal antibodies (LKM). Therefore, the genotype and sequence of HCV were studied in these patients. METHODS: Sera from 43 LKM-positive and anti-HCV-positive patients (15 from Germany and 28 from Italy) and 82 LKM-negative and anti-HCV-positive patients (57 from Germany and 25 from Italy) were examined. RESULTS: Genotyping revealed that the rate of genotype III HCV according to Okamoto's classification in patients with LKM antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis type 2 was higher than in LKM-negative patients (22.0% vs. 2.4%; P < 0.05). This was because of an increase of genotype III in our patients from Italy. No HCV mutations were found that show a closer sequence homology to cytochrome P450IID6, the major LKM-1 antigen. Deletions in the envelope and nonstructural region 5 were found. CONCLUSIONS: Because a specific HCV sequence is not associated with the induction of LKM-1 autoantibodies, future research must focus on host factors and possibly additional environmental factors.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is detectable in a proportion of patients with autoimmune hepatitis type 2, which is characterized by liver-kidney microsomal antibodies (LKM). Therefore, the genotype and sequence of HCV were studied in these patients. METHODS: Sera from 43 LKM-positive and anti-HCV-positive patients (15 from Germany and 28 from Italy) and 82 LKM-negative and anti-HCV-positive patients (57 from Germany and 25 from Italy) were examined. RESULTS: Genotyping revealed that the rate of genotype III HCV according to Okamoto's classification in patients with LKM antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis type 2 was higher than in LKM-negative patients (22.0% vs. 2.4%; P < 0.05). This was because of an increase of genotype III in our patients from Italy. No HCV mutations were found that show a closer sequence homology to cytochrome P450IID6, the major LKM-1 antigen. Deletions in the envelope and nonstructural region 5 were found. CONCLUSIONS: Because a specific HCV sequence is not associated with the induction of LKM-1 autoantibodies, future research must focus on host factors and possibly additional environmental factors.
Authors: H L Tillmann; D F Chen; C Trautwein; V Kliem; A Grundey; A Berning-Haag; K Böker; S Kubicka; L Pastucha; W Stangel; M P Manns Journal: Gut Date: 2001-05 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: H Miyakawa; E Kitazawa; K Abe; N Kawaguchi; H Fuzikawa; K Kikuchi; M Kako; T Komatsu; N Hayashi; K Kiyosawa Journal: J Gastroenterol Date: 1997-12 Impact factor: 7.527
Authors: B Wesche; E Jaeckel; C Trautwein; H Wedemeyer; A Falorni; H Frank; A von zur Mühlen; M P Manns; G Brabant Journal: Gut Date: 2001-03 Impact factor: 23.059