[Clinical studies of the specificity of detecting viral DNA in non-A, non-B hepatitis in liver tissue and lymphocytes].

The clinical specifity of an intraparticular virus-DNA of 5001 Bp associated with non-A, non-B hepatitis (HNANB) was evaluated. Investigations were done in liver biopsies and lymphocytes in 173 patients having acute or chronic HNANB (n = 107) or liver diseases of other etiology (n = 66). The sensitivity of the test system (polymerase chain reaction, southern-transfer, DNA-hybridisation with synthetic oligonucleotides) was less than 100 virus particles per probe. In all patients with acute HNANB (n = 5) (parenteral mode of infection) the DNA was found in 100% in liver and lymphocytes, and in 22 of 27 patients with acute sporadic HNANB. HNANB associated substance (HNANB-AS) (1.3 g/ml CsCl) excreted with feces was found in 50%, and 29.6%, respectively. In chronic HNANB the DNA was found in 83.3% in the liver (n = 42) and in 56.7% in lymphocytes (n = 30). The HNANB-AS was found in 45.6% (n = 68). In liver diseases with other etiologies as HNANB-infection (e.g. HBV, HAV, cholestasis, HBsAg pos.-liver cirrhosis) (n = 33) the DNA was found neither in liver biopsies nor in lymphocytes. In liver diseases of uncertain etiology, but with NANB-infection under discussion (e.g. nonspecific reactive hepatitis, fatty liver, HBV neg liver cirrhosis) the DNA was found in the liver in 24% (n = 25) and in lymphocytes in 40% (n = 5). In patients with clinically resolved HNANB no DNA was found in liver and lymphocytes (n = 5). All stools were negative for HNANB-AS in the latter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)