HCV
Found in Carotid Atherosclerosis Plaques of Chronic
Hepatitis C Patients
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| SUMMARY:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was detected in
arterial plaques in the carotid arteries
of chronic hepatitis C patients with heart
disease, according to a study in the January
2010 Journal of Clinical Virology.
While the implications of this novel finding
are not yet clear, it is possible that HCV
may have a direct influence on atherosclerosis.
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By
Liz Highleyman
Research
indicates that chronic
hepatitis C is associated with increased risk
of cardiovascular disease in both
HCV monoinfected and HIV/HCV
coinfected people, even though HCV infection tends
to lower blood lipid levels. Some evidence suggests
HCV infection may promote accumulation of carotid
artery plaques, or build-up of cholesterol and other
substances on the walls of the arteries in the neck
that supply the brain.
Maria Boddi from the University of Florence, Italy,
and colleagues conducted a study to evaluate the presence
of HCV genomic sequences and replicative intermediates
in artery plaque tissues. The HCV genome is a positive-strand
RNA that serves as the viral genetic "blueprint,"
while a replicative intermediate is a negative-strand
RNA utilized in the copying process.
The researchers analyzed a cohort of chronic hepatitis
C patients seen at the University Hospital in Florence
who had chronic ischemic heart disease, in which the
heart is deprived of oxygen due to atherosclerosis.
Results
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Positive-strand
HCV RNA was found in 7 carotid plaque tissue samples
obtained from HCV antibody positive patients. |
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Positive-strand
HCV RNA was not detected, however, in the 9 carotid
plaque samples from HCV antibody negative patients.
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3
patients had HCV RNA detectable in carotid plaque
but not in blood serum. |
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Negative-strand
HCV replicative intermediates were detected in
3 plaque samples. |
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Direct
sequencing of HCV RNA from plaque and serum samples
showed HCV genotypes 2 (5 cases) and 1 (2 cases).
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"The
novel finding of HCV RNA sequences in plaque tissue
strongly suggests an active local infection,"
the study authors concluded. "This in turn makes
it conceivable that the virus may exert local action
in carotid atherosclerosis."
Clinica Medica Generale e Cardiologia, Department
of Medical and Surgical Critical Care, University
of Florence, Italy.
1/15/10
Reference
M
Boddi, R Abbate, B Chellini, and others. Hepatitis
C virus RNA localization in human carotid plaques.
Journal of Clinical Virology 47(1): 72-75 (Abstract).
January 2010.
