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Serological and molecular analysis of hepatitis C virus envelope regions 1 and 2 during acute and chronic infections in chimpanzees
Author(s) -
van Doorn LeenJan,
van Hoek Kitty,
de Martinoff Guy,
Bosman Fons,
Stuyver Lieven,
Kos Ton,
Frantzen Inge,
Sillekens Peter,
Maertens Geert,
Quint Wim
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9071(199708)52:4<441::aid-jmv17>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - viremia , virology , virus , viral load , serology , viral disease , biology , chronic infection , antibody , flaviviridae , hepatitis c virus , immunology , medicine , immune system
Acute and chronic Hepatitis C virus infections were investigated retrospectively in chimpanzees that had been infected from a single source. Anti‐E1 and anti‐E2 were detected in two of three chimpanzees with a chronic infection, but were first detected 1 to 2 years after inoculation. Sequence evolution of the E1 region in three animals over a period of 9 to 11 years revealed a mutation rate of 1.02 to 2.23 × 10 base substitutions per site per year. The acute phase viremia levels in acute infections which resolved appeared to be at least 10‐fold higher than during the acute phase of chronic infections. During chronic infections, the viral load fell rapidly after the acute phase and remained at very low levels for several years. After 4 to 6 years, the viral load and liver enzymes increased again, suggesting reactivation of the infection. There was no clear temporal relationship between sequence evolution of the E1 region, changes in viral load, and the production of antibodies to the envelope proteins. J. Med. Virol. 52:441–450, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.