Open AccessHepatitis C virus and peripheral blood mononuclear cell reservoirs Patricia Baré
Author(s) -
Patricia Baré
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world journal of hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 55
ISSN - 1948-5182
DOI - 10.4254/wjh.v1.i1.67
Subject(s) - medicine , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , hepatitis c virus , immunology , virology , pathogenesis , immune system , virus , hepacivirus , peripheral , hepatitis c , transmission (telecommunications) , biology , biochemistry , electrical engineering , in vitro , engineering
The existence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in extrahepatic sites has been widely demonstrated. Since peripheral blood mononuclear cells have been the most investigated, compelling evidence of an association with HCV has been shown. Different studies have revealed that HCV RNA can persist and replicate in immune cells but the relevance of its presence and persistence over time is still unknown. As the contribution of this extrahepatic reservoir could have several clinical implications in viral transmission, treatment response and disease pathogenesis, future studies are required to improve our knowledge of the extrahepatic manifestations of HCV and its possible consequences.