Genetic variations in host IL 28 B links to the detection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells–associated hepatitis C virus RNA in chronically infected patients

Summary Hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) is mainly hepatotropic; however, several reports document the presence of genomic viral RNA in extrahepatic sites including peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC s). In this study, the presence of HCV RNA was initially evaluated in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC s) of 53 HCV ‐infected patients who were treated per protocol . PBMC ‐associated HCV RNA was detectable in 79% of patients. Early virological response to combined pegylated interferon‐α (Peg IFN ) and ribavirin ( RBV ) therapy in patients with undetectable levels of PBMC s‐associated HCV RNA was 100%, while it was 60% ( P  = 0.003) in those who had detectable levels of PBMC ‐associated HCV RNA . A sustained virological response was observed in 35% of patients with detectable PBMC ‐associated HCV RNA , but was 70% in patients with undetectable levels of PBMC ‐associated HCV RNA ( P  = 0.07). In a multivariate analysis incorporating parameters such as HCV genotype, viral load, presence of cirrhosis and absence of PBMC ‐associated HCV RNA , a significant relationship was observed between the detection of PBMC ‐associated HCV RNA and the sustained virological response ( OR 19.4, 95% CI : 2.1–486.2, P  = 0.0061). The association between single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP ) in IL 28B, known predictor of antiviral therapy outcome, and the occurrence of HCV RNA in PBMC in 84 chronically infected patients was then evaluated. Results suggest that the presence of a G allele in rs8099917, known to associate to a poor response to Peg IFN / RBV therapy, also predicts an increased association of HCV RNA with PBMC ( OR : 3.564; 95% CI : 1.114–11.40, P  = 0.0437).