Antibody-negative chronic hepatitis C virus infection in immunocompetent children

J Pediatr. 1998 Jun;132(6):1048-50. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(98)70409-3.

Abstract

Antibody-negative hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined by the presence of HCV viremia in the absence of a serologic response to HCV, was detected in two immunocompetent and symptom-free children; each had a history of exposure to blood products. HCV infection may occasionally explain cryptogenic elevation of aminotransferases, even in the absence of serum anti-HCV. HCV-RNA should be investigated in these cases, particularly in the presence of previous exposure to blood products.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / etiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunocompetence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Viremia / immunology
  • Viremia / virology

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Alanine Transaminase