Genetic heterogeneity of the NS5A gene of hepatitis C virus and early response to interferon-alpha

J Infect Dis. 2003 Nov 1;188(9):1367-70. doi: 10.1086/379037. Epub 2003 Oct 13.

Abstract

The double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-binding domain (PKRbd) of the NS5A gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied by the cloning and sequencing method, in HCV-infected patients who had a primary resistance to treatment with interferon (IFN)-alpha (early nonresponders). Patients whose virus load decreased by >or=0.5 log (early responders) were similarly analyzed. In the 2 groups, the PKRbd evolved similarly over the first 24 h. Selection of resistant HCV variants is unlikely to explain primary resistance to IFN-alpha.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / blood
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Area Under Curve
  • Genetic Variation
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / blood
  • Interferon-alpha / pharmacokinetics
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Viral Load
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / immunology
  • Virus Replication / genetics
  • Virus Replication / immunology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus