Detection of HCV-Specific IFN-γ Responses in HCV Antibody and HCV RNA Negative Injecting Drug Users.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Detectable HCV-specific cellular immune responses in HCV antibody and RNA negative people who inject drugs (PWID) raise the question of whether some are resistant to HCV infection. Immune responses from people who have been exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and remain anti-HCV negative are of interest for HCV vaccine development; however, limited research addresses this area.

Objectives

In a cohort of HCV antibody and RNA negative PWID, we assessed whether the presence of HCV-specific IFN-γ responses or genetic associations provide any evidence of protection from HCV infection.

Patients and methods

One hundred and ninety-eight participants were examined longitudinally for clinical, behavioral, social, environmental and genetic characteristics (IFNL3 genoty

SUBMITTER: Flynn JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3909641 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature