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Biomedical subjects

Priya Abraham

Publications and source records attributed to Priya Abraham.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

HPV 16 E6 sequence variations in Indian patients with cervical neoplasia.

In a cross-sectional study performed between June 2001 and November 2003, the HPV 16 E6 gene of 50 women with cervical neoplasia and 20 cytologically normal women ('controls') was sequenced following amplification by PCR. The 350T to G variant was seen in 35 (70%) of 50 patients' isolates while it was seen in only 3 (15%) of the 20 isolates from the 'controls'. The higher occurrence of the 350G variant among the patients was statistically significant (P<0.01). Isolates from patients were grouped into the European (E), Asian-American (AA) and North-American (NA-1) phylogenetic clusters with 46 (92%) belonging to the E cluster. All the 20 isolates from 'controls' belonged to the E cluster. This study suggests an association of the HPV 16 350G variant with a higher risk of cervical neoplasia and a predominance of E lineage strains among Indian HPV 16 isolates.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of soluble FAS, FAS ligand and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in patients with chronic HCV infection.

BACKGROUND: There are limited reports on the role of the cell surface receptor Fas and its ligand molecule in mediating apoptosis during infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were (1) to assess the susceptibility of the Fas antigen expressed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells to Fas ligand-induced-death in patients with chronic HCV infection and (2) to investigate the correlation between the plasma levels of soluble Fas (sFas), soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and HCV viral load. STUDY DESIGN: The susceptibility of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 17 subjects with chronic HCV infection to Fas ligand induced cell death was assessed using a water soluble tetrazolium assay. The plasma levels of associated markers such as sFas, sFasL, and TNF-alpha were quantified using immunoassays. ALT values were obtained from hospital records. Viral loads were quantified using a commercially available quantitative assay--the Amplicor Monitor (version 2.0). Controls for comparison included a group of healthy individuals and individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus 1. RESULTS: The percentage of cell death induced in hepatitis C virus infected individuals was lower than that seen in the healthy control group. Patients infected with HCV had higher average values of sFas and TNF-alpha as compared to both control groups. Plasma levels of sFas in patients with chronic HCV infection showed significant positive correlations to ALT and TNF-alpha levels. TNF-alpha levels also showed a significant positive correlation with ALT levels. CONCLUSIONS: PBMC in HCV infection exhibit decreased susceptibility to Fas ligand induced cell death. This may signify a means by which HCV escapes immune surveillance. This phenomenon merits further investigation. The strong correlations observed between plasma sFas, ALT and TNF-alpha suggest a potential role for these markers as an alternative to an invasive liver biopsy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of a rapid assay as an alternative to conventional enzyme immunoassays for detection of hepatitis C virus-specific antibodies.

A rapid membrane flow-through immunoassay to detect antibodies to hepatitis C virus was compared with a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) using 2,590 serum samples. Sensitivity and specificity of the "rapid assay" in comparison to the EIA/MEIA were 99.3 and 99.0%; the correlation coefficient being 0.91. This assay is suitable where infrastructure and laboratory expertise are limited.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Is dengue emerging as a major public health problem?

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of dengue infection is easily and best accomplished by demonstration of specific IgM antibodies in blood. We analyzed retrospectively the dengue IgM seropositivity available for samples obtained over a period of five year (1999-2003) from patients with suspected dengue fever (DF)-like illness to investigate whether there was an overall increase in the dengue IgM prevalence over this period. METHODS: Serum samples from a total of 1426 individuals (suspected dengue cases) obtained over five year were tested for dengue specific IgM antibodies. Of the 1426 patients, 693 were adults (>15 yr) and 694 children (<15 yr) (excluding 39 individuals whose age was not known). There were 807 males and 610 females (excluding 9 individuals whose status on sex was unknown). RESULTS: A total of 423 (29.7%) samples were positive for dengue IgM over the five year period. Overall, there was a significant increase in the percentage of dengue IgM positive individuals over the this period (P<0.001). When the individuals were grouped into children (<15 yr) and adults (>15 yr), a significant increase in the number of dengue IgM positive individuals was noticed only in children (P<0.001) and not in adults. When the individuals were grouped into males and females, a significant increase in the number of dengue IgM positive individuals was noticed in both the sexes (P<0.03). Month-wise analysis of the dengue IgM positivity rates indicated the year-wide occurrence of dengue. A total of 158 (41%) of the dengue IgM positive individuals showed positivity for dengue IgG also suggestive of a secondary heterotypic infection. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The overall significant increase in dengue IgM seropositivity among the suspected cases indicates an increase in dengue virus activity, raising the question whether dengue is emerging/re-emerging as a major health problem in southern India. Increase in probable secondary infection (as evidenced by dual positivity for dengue IgM and IgG) seen in this study is also a point of concern. Such an increase especially in a country like ours where multiple serotypes are prevalent, raises concern over probable increase in the incidences of the more serious DHF/DSS. As this report could well be an underestimate of true incidence, the alarming increase observed in 2003, may be a warning/indication of epidemics to come soon that merits serious consideration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in blood donors and chronically infected patients in a tertiary care hospital in southern India.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes differ in their potential for causing disease. Consecutive patients with chronic HBV infection (CHBV) (n=122) and blood donors (n=67) positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism. The ratio of male to female subjects was significantly higher in the blood donor group than in the group of patients with CHBV (P=.0004). Among patients with CHBV, genotype D was detected in 57.3%, genotype A was detected in 18%, and genotype C was detected in 11.5%. Only genotypes D and A were detected in blood donors. The difference between the detection rate of genotype C in patients with CHBV and in blood donors was significant (11.5% vs. 0%; P=.009). Patients with CHBV who had genotype C had higher alanine transaminase (ALT) levels than those who had genotype A (P=.044) or genotype D (P=.014). Detection of genotype C in patients with CHBV and the association of genotype C with higher ALT levels may predict that this genotype has a greater potential for causing disease than other genotypes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

High frequency of the 1896 precore mutation in patients and blood donors with hepatitis B virus infection from the Indian subcontinent.

AIM: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) e antigen (HBeAg)-negative variants are reported to harbor 1896 precore mutants, and predict a worse clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of a precore mutation (1896) in both patients with chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) infection and blood donors in a tertiary care hospital in south India. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two consecutive HBV DNA-positive CH-B patients (group I) and 102 HBsAg-positive 'healthy' blood donors (group II) were recruited. Samples found to be positive for HBV DNA were further studied. A nested PCR was used for the detection of HBV DNA. The 1896 precore mutation was detected using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Nucleotide sequencing was performed on representative samples to confirm PCR-RFLP findings. The study population was stratified comprising: group IA: 17 HBeAg-positive CH-B patients; group IB: 105 HBeAg-negative CH-B patients; group IIA: 12 HBeAg-positive blood donors; and group IIB: 55 HBeAg-negative blood donors. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the HBeAg-positive status between groups I and II. Significantly higher levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) were seen in groups IA and IB than in groups IIA and IIB, respectively (p = 0.033; p = 0.004). A significantly higher proportion of CH-B patients (32.7%) were positive for anti-HBc IgM compared with the blood donor groups (10.4%; p = 0.0006). Among the HBeAg-negative subjects, 69% of the CH-B patients and 65% of the blood donors showed evidence of 1896 precore mutant. This infection included the 1896 mutant exclusively or mixed infection involving the 1896 mutant and 1896 wild-type. DISCUSSION: The absence of detectable HBeAg in most of the viremic blood donors and patients emphasizes the need for HBV DNA testing irrespective of HBeAg status. Mixed infection was detected in a higher proportion (42.6%) of CH-B patients than in blood donors (26.8%; p = 0.031). Among those with mixed infection, a significant proportion (44.2%) of CH-B patients, had ALT levels greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN), as compared with the blood donor groups (16.6%; p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of CH-B patients and blood donors were negative for HBeAg despite their positive HIV DNA status. About two-thirds of the HBsAg-positive blood donors were viremic. Mixed infection was detected more frequently in CH-B patients and appears to be associated with more pronounced liver damage, as indicated by increased ALT levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Human papillomavirus 16 E6/E7 transcript and E2 gene status in patients with cervical neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: The viral transforming genes E6 and E7 of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 cause the degradation of tumor suppressor proteins. Expression of these oncoproteins increases following the integration of viral DNA into the host cell, resulting in the disruption of the E2 open reading frame (ORF). AIM: To detect and correlate HPV-16 oncogene transcripts and HPV-16 E2 DNA in cervical biopsies obtained from women (n = 68) with cervical neoplasia. METHODS: HPV-16 E6/E7 transcript and HPV-16 E2 DNA detection was performed on the cervical biopsies of 42 women positive for HPV-16 (36 with invasive cervical carcinoma and 6 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN]). PCR was used to detect HPV DNA in cervical biopsies then restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to type the HPV DNA. Reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR for HPV-16 E6/E7 oncogene mRNA transcripts and a PCR to detect the HPV-16 E2 DNA was performed on HPV-16-positive samples. RESULTS: HPV-16 E6/E7 mRNA transcripts were not detected in any of the CIN I or II biopsies, but were detected in all cases of CIN III and invasive cancer in different combinations (E6 alone, E6*I, E6*I/E6*II, E6/E6*I/E6*II) except for one patient with stage IIB cancer treated with radiotherapy. The incidence of episomal E2 DNA was high in this study with 52.4% of the samples positive for episomal E2. It was even detected in patients with advanced stage cancer with 50%, 42%, and 66.6% of samples positive in stages IIB, IIIB, and IV, respectively. DISCUSSION: HPV-16 E6/E7 mRNA oncogene transcripts, in various combinations, were uniformly detectable in the majority of the high-grade cervical lesions examined. Intact episomal E2 DNA was seen in a high proportion of samples, even from advanced cervical lesions. Conservation of the E2 gene with concomitant expression of viral oncogenes in advanced cervical lesions may point to alternate mechanisms, other than integration, bringing about the enhanced expression of E6/E7 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the detection of the HPV-16 oncogene transcripts could serve as an indicator for assessing the prognosis of patients on radiotherapy. The majority of HPV-16-positive cervical neoplastic lesions are transcriptionally active and express the oncogene transcripts. The increased occurrence of intact HPV-16 episomal E2 DNA in advanced lesions further substantiates the fact that the disruption of E2 ORF is not mandatory for increased oncogene expression. Thus, this study underscores the significance of investigating alternative mechanisms of oncogene expression in HPV-16.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

HPV DNA in plasma of patients with cervical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: HPV DNA has been detected in metastatic tumour and HPV plasma viraemia may indicate a poor prognosis and a high risk for metastasis. OBJECTIVE: Detection of HPV DNA in plasma of patients with cervical carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was done, wherein cervical biopsies and plasma samples were collected from 58 women with invasive cervical carcinoma, 10 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 30 control women in the same age range. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the presence of HPV DNA. Samples positive for HPV DNA were typed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). To confirm that the HPV sequence in plasma was identical to that in tissue, sequencing was done on all the paired plasma and tissue samples. RESULTS: All the 30 paired cervical tissue and plasma samples from the controls were negative for HPV DNA. HPV DNA was detectable in cervical tissues of 55 (94.8%) of 58 patients with invasive cervical carcinoma and in all 10 patients (100%) with CIN and in eight (11.8%) of the total 68 plasma samples from patients. All eight plasma samples were from women with invasive cervical carcinoma with three each in stages IIIB and IV and one each in stages IIB and IB, respectively. Of the eight positive samples, seven were typed as HPV-16 and 1 as HPV-58. HPV types detected in cervical tissue and plasma pairs from these eight patients correlated as revealed by RFLP and sequencing. A patient with stage IB cancer had detectable HPV DNA in the external iliac lymph node, removed at Wertheims hysterectomy, which was histopathologically free of tumour. The HPV type in the node, was the same as that present in the paired tissue and plasma sample. CONCLUSIONS: HPV DNA is detectable in the plasma of patients with advanced cervical cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

HCV genotype 4--an emerging threat as a cause of chronic liver disease in Indian (south) patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping is relevant for the delivery of effective antiviral therapy. HCV genotypes are geographically restricted with genotype 4, which is resistant to therapy, traditionally considered to be confined to the Middle East and Africa. We report here on the occurrence of HCV genotype 4 in Indian (South) patients. OBJECTIVES: 1) To highlight the occurrence of HCV genotype 4 in the patient population attending a tertiary care hospital in south India. 2) To ascertain the difference in HCV viral loads and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values between patients infected with HCV genotype 4 and those infected with the other two most commonly detected genotypes in this patient population viz., HCV genotypes 1 and 3. 3) To assess the genetic relatedness of the Indian strains to Genbank sequences, which we report for the first time. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 125 HCV infected, untreated patients who had been genotyped using type specific primers. Eight of the nine samples classified as HCV genotype 4 by this technique were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. Viral load estimations were carried out. Information on possible risk factors and ALT values were obtained from hospital records. Statistical analyses were carried out to compare viral loads and ALT values across genotypes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed and the genetic relatedness of the strains was assessed through sequence analysis. RESULTS: HCV genotype 4 was detected in nine of 125 (7.2%) patients. Eight of the nine were subjected to nucleotide sequencing and all strains were confirmed as HCV genotype 4. Six of the eight strains were closely related, with two strains being phylogenetically diverse. CONCLUSIONS: HCV genotype 4 is detected in a significant minority of HCV infected patients in India. This finding should be considered in designing strategies prior to initiation of therapy in Indian patients infected with HCV.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

E2 sequence variations of HPV 16 among patients with cervical neoplasia seen in the Indian subcontinent.

OBJECTIVES: Specific nucleotide variations in the E2 DNA sequence were looked for in samples with an intact human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 episomal E2 DNA. METHODS: Ninety-two women, 76 with invasive cervical carcinoma and 16 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were recruited. HPV DNA typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Intact episomal E2 DNA of HPV 16 was detected by PCR. Important nucleotide variations in samples with amplifiable E2 DNA were detected by RFLP. Nucleotide sequencing was performed on representative samples to confirm RFLP findings. RESULTS: A total of 89 (96.7%) women were positive for HPV DNA. Of these, 56 (63%) were positive for HPV 16, and of these, 38 (68%) were positive for intact episomal HPV 16 E2 DNA while 18 (32%) were negative. Samples with intact episomal HPV 16 E2 DNA sequences were grouped into four different digestion profiles I to IV based on RFLP patterns. Digestion patterns revealed absence of any sequence variations in samples with digestion profile I and presence of a 2983 A-G variation in those with profile II. Samples with digestion profiles III and IV revealed three variations in the hinge region (3516 C-A, 3538 A-C, 3566 T-G) and two in the DNA binding domain (3684 C-A, 3694 T-A) of the E2 sequence. Sequencing performed on representative samples confirmed RFLP findings. CONCLUSIONS: PCR-RFLP helped in the identification of important HPV 16 E2 sequence variations, circumventing the need for sequencing. The presence of the nucleotide variations in positions that could alter the biological and immunological functions of the E2 protein combined with its increased occurrence in this study bring out the importance of these variations.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Hepatitis E superinfection produces severe decompensation in patients with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The adverse effect of acute hepatitis A in chronic liver disease is well known. The outcome of acute hepatitis E in chronic liver disease has not been extensively studied. The present study aimed to examine the clinical profile and outcome of patients with chronic liver disease and hepatitis E virus (HEV) superinfection, and the seroprevalence of hepatitis A and E infections in patients with chronic liver disease and controls in India. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with chronic liver disease and acute icteric hepatitis E was performed. Acute hepatitis E was diagnosed by immunoglobulin (Ig)M ELISA. Seroprevalence studies were carried out using IgG ELISA in 100 patients with chronic liver disease and 79 age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: From June 2001 to December 2002, nine patients with chronic liver disease were found to have superinfection with HEV. Out of these, six patients died of advanced liver failure. The etiology of liver disease was Wilson's disease in six, hepatitis B virus in one, autoimmune in one and cryptogenic in one case. The seroprevalence of hepatitis A was 99 and 100% and 56 and 21% for HEV in cases and controls, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Acute HEV in patients with chronic liver disease has a grave prognosis. Wilson's disease was the most common cause of chronic liver disease complicated by acute HEV. Seroprevalence studies showed that 44% of patients with chronic liver disease were at risk of developing hepatitis E. Hepatitis E vaccine, when available, is indicated for use in this group.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor augmented hepatitis B vaccine protocol for rapid seroprotection in voluntary kidney donors.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Conventional hepatitis B vaccine protocols do not provide rapid seroprotection against hepatitis B. This randomized controlled trial was carried out to investigate the efficacy of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) augmented double-dose vaccine protocol in voluntary kidney donors prior to donor nephrectomy. METHODS: A total of 54 kidney donors, who had no history of hepatitis B infection, hepatitis B vaccination and tested negative for anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies were randomly allocated to the control or test groups. GM-CSF (300 microg) was administered subcutaneously on day 0, followed by 40 microg of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine intramuscularly on the same deltoid on day 1. The control group received only 40 microg of intramuscular hepatitis B vaccine. Anti-HBs titres were measured at the end of 4 wk. RESULTS: Of the 54 donors studied, there was a significant (P<0.003) seroconversion in the GM-CSF group (82%) compared to the control group (37%), after a single immunization with double-dose recombinant hepatitis B vaccine by 4 wk. Minor side effects such as fever in four patients and myalgia in three were noticed. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: GM-CSF augmented double-dose hepatitis B vaccine could be used in unvaccinated patients when a rapid response is desired.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2004

Age-wise exposure rates to hepatitis e virus in a southern Indian patient population without liver disease.

To determine the age-stratified exposure to hepatitis E virus (HEV) in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in southern India, serum samples from 600 individuals were tested using a commercial HEV IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subjects were composed of blood donors, antenatal women, and pre-operative individuals who were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis C virus with no evidence of liver disease; 200 each were 1-5 and 6-15 years old and 100 each were 16-40 and > or = 41 years old. One (0.5%) sample was positive in those 1-5 years old, two (1.0%) in those 6-15 years old, eight (8%) in those 16-40 years old, and 13 (13%) in those > or = 41 years old. The overall seropositivity rate was 4%. However, there was an age-related increase in exposure to HEV that was statistically significant (P < 0.001), with a higher HEV seropositivity in urban individuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Distribution of the different genotypes of HCV among patients attending a tertiary care hospital in south India.

BACKGROUND: Genotyping of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and assessment of viral load is important for designing therapeutic strategies and region specific diagnostic assays. OBJECTIVES: To determine the distribution of HCV genotypes among patients attending a tertiary care hospital in south India, and to correlate this with viral load. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety HCV RNA positive patients were recruited for the study. HCV genotyping was carried out using type-specific primers from the core region of the viral genome [J. Clin. Microbiol. 35 (1997) 201]. Viral load estimations were carried out using the Amplicor HCV Monitor (Versions 1.5 and 2, Roche Diagnostics, Branchburg, NJ, USA). Clinical details were elicited from patients' hospital records. RESULTS: Genotype 3 was detected most frequently (62.2%) followed by infection with HCV genotype 1 (18.8%). There was no significant difference seen in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values between the two genotypes. Genotype 1 was associated with a significantly higher viral load as compared with genotype 3 (P=0.001). Parenteral transmission accounted for 61% of all infection caused. Infection with genotype 1 was significantly associated with a history of haemodialysis (P=0.01). Genotype 3 was detected more frequently in patients from east India, as compared with its detection in patients from south India (P=0.004). Similarly, genotype 1 was detected with greater frequency in individuals from south India as compared with patients from east India (P=0.004). The concordance between Ohno's genotyping assay and nucleotide sequencing, for genotypes 1 and 3, was 75%. CONCLUSIONS: HCV genotypes 1 and 3 accounted for 81% of HCV infections in patients from this geographical region. HCV genotype distribution showed regional differences and genotype 1 was associated with higher viral loads. Parenteral transmission was the major route for acquisition of HCV infection. Ohno's type-specific primer based genotyping assay can be used for distinguishing between HCV genotype 1 and non-1 HCV genotypes in laboratories that do not possess nucleotide sequencing facilities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus and TT virus infections among high risk renal transplant recipients in India.

BACKGROUND: GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) and TT virus (TTV) have been widely reported in patients with high parenteral risk such as haemodialysis and renal transplant recipients. The occurrence of these agents in association with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), in Indian renal transplant recipients, is yet unreported. STUDY DESIGN: Molecular and serological markers of GBV-C/HGV and TTV were examined in addition to those for HBV, HCV and hepatitis D virus (HDV) in a selected group of seventy renal transplant recipients. HGV RNA detection was achieved using primers specific for the 5'NCR and NS5a regions of the genome. Anti-GBV-C/HGV antibody was detected using the mu plate anti-HG env kit (Roche, Germany). TTV DNA PCR was performed using primers specific for the coding region (method A) of the genome. In 50% of patients, TTV DNA was also tested for using primers specific for the non-coding region (method B). Host related factors such as age, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, number of transfusions, haemodialysis sessions, and months following transplantation were also studied. RESULTS: Exposure rates to GBV-C/HGV, TTV (method A), HBV, HCV and HDV were 58.6, 32.9, 52.9, 54.3 and 2.9%, respectively. 'Active' infection as measured by viraemia and/or virus-specific antigenaemia for GBV-C/HGV, TTV, HBV and HCV was 52.9, 32.9, 15.7 and 52.9%, respectively. The majority of GBV-C/HGV and TTV infections were seen as co-infections with other hepatitis viruses. Single infection with GBV-C/HGV and TTV was seen in ten (14.2%) and eight (11.4%) patients, and was not associated with ALT elevation when compared to uninfected blood donors. Using univariate analysis, GBV-C/HGV RNA was significantly associated with > or =20 haemodialysis sessions. TTV DNA occurrence was not associated with any risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high occurrence of GBV-C/HGV and TTV in this select group of renal transplant recipients in India. These viruses mostly occurred in the context of co-infections with other hepatitis viruses. Long term effects of multiple hepatotropic viral infections need to be carefully documented in such transplant populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Occurrence of false positives during testing for antibodies to hepatitis C virus among volunteer blood donors in India.

The hepatitis C virus antibody statuses of only 11 (21.5%) of 51 initially reactive samples from volunteer blood donors could be confirmed by using additional screening and confirmatory assays; 23 (45%) were negative by all subsequent assays. Seventeen samples (33.3%) gave variable results in the different assays. The core and NS5 antigens were most immunogenic. An algorithm for serological screening of volunteer blood donors in blood banks of developing countries is suggested.

Blood Donors↗