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Endogenous interferon-alpha level is increased in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive pregnant women
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been reported in around 5% of cases, and is much more likely to occur in case of coinfection with HIV. However, other cofactors influencing the vertical transmission are still debated. AIM: To assess the serum concentration of endogenous interferon (IFN) during pregnancy, and its eventual role on the vertical transmission of HCV. METHODS: Forty-seven HCV-infected pregnant women, and 3 control groups: (1) 75 HCV-negative pregnant women; (2) 29 HCV-positive nonpregnant women; (3) 29 HCV-negative nonpregnant women entered into the study. Endogenous IFN was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The following parameters were also analyzed: viral load, HIV infection, risk factors for acquiring HCV, parity, gestational age, mode and course of delivery. RESULTS: Vertical transmission of HCV was observed in 2 cases (4.3%). Plasma levels of IFN were significantly higher in HCV-positive pregnant women compared with either HCV-positive and HCV-negative nonpregnant women. The 2 mothers who transmitted the infection had IFN levels within the same range as the women who did not transmit the infection. CONCLUSIONS: In HCV-positive pregnant women, there is an increased production of endogenous IFN-α. Further studies are warranted for clarifying the mechanisms of this cytokine in the prevention of HCV transmission. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Hepacivirus
Hepatitis C virus
Alpha interferon
HIV Infections
medicine.disease_cause
Pregnancy
Risk Factors
Medicine
Humans
Prospective Studies
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
Interferon alfa
biology
business.industry
Gastroenterology
Infant, Newborn
virus diseases
HIV
Interferon-alpha
Hepatitis C
Viral Load
biology.organism_classification
medicine.disease
Delivery, Obstetric
digestive system diseases
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
Case-Control Studies
Immunology
HCV
Coinfection
Interferon
Vertical transmission
Female
Viral disease
business
Viral load
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....572f5e8da3c14a661f51e9896ce1f971