Significance of hepatitis C virus core protein in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection in different liver diseases.

The present article describes the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein in relation to HCV antibody in different types of liver diseases caused by hepatitis viral infections. One hundred thirty patients with various types of liver diseases, including those with acute viral hepatitis (n = 50), chronic viral hepatitis (n = 30), cirrhosis of the liver (n = 30), and fulminant hepatic failure (n = 20), were analyzed for HCV core protein, HCV-ribonucleic acid (RNA) and anti-HCV antibodies using enzyme immunoassays and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. All patients were also simultaneously analyzed for other hepatitis markers to diagnose hepatitis A to E in all cases. Patients with HCV infection were additionally tested for HCV core protein and HCV-RNA. The results of analysis demonstrated the presence of hepatitis B, C, and E in different proportions of patients with these liver diseases. Hepatitis A and D infections were absent in all cases. Analysis of sera from acute viral hepatitis demonstrated the presence of HCV core protein, HCV-RNA, anti-HCV antibodies, and both core protein and anti-HCV together in 18%, 16%, 6%, and 2% of cases, respectively. In fulminant hepatic failure patients, these markers were recorded in 20%, 10%, 10%, and 5% of cases, respectively. In the chronic viral hepatitis group, the pattern was reversed, and their presence was recorded in 13.3%, 13.3%, 46.6%, and 10% of cases, respectively. Similarly, in cirrhosis patients, these markers were noted in 23.3%, 23.3%, 23.3%, and 13.3% of cases, respectively. None of the control sera were positive for any hepatitis marker. The significance of HCV core protein in relation to HCV-RNA and anti-HCV for the diagnosis of HCV infection in different liver diseases has been discussed.