Detection of seronegative occult hepatitis C infection in blood donors and hospital patients from Argentina.

INTRODUCTION

OCI is defined as the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in hepatocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the absence of HCV RNA in serum. Two types of OCI are distinguished based on the presence or absence of anti-HCV antibodies: seropositive and seronegative.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of seronegative OCI and identify its genotypes in blood donors (BDs) and hospital patients (HPs) from Argentina.

METHODOLOGY: Peripheral blood and serum samples were collected from a total of 177 BDs and HPs. All individuals were non-reactive for HCV markers. The samples were analyzed by RT-nested-PCR. In addition, RT-qPCR was performed only on the serum samples. Other serological tests were conducted in all serum samples, and biochemical markers were realized only in Oci-positive serum samples.

RESULTS

Fifteen samples were OCI-positive by RT-qPCR in PBMCs, with an overall prevalence of 8.5%; it was 3.0% BDs and 11.7% HPs, respectively. Genotypes 2 and 3 were identified in all OCI sequences. None of the serum samples were RNA HCV positive. Moreover, two of the total OCI positive were HIV positive, and one had elevated liver enzyme levels.

CONCLUSION

This study is being conducted for the first time in Argentina and sets a precedent regarding the presence of seronegative for OCI in these populations. Further research is needed in different populations and with a larger number of samples to understand the true prevalence of OCI in the country.