Hepatitis C virus in multiple episodes of acute hepatitis in polytransfused thalassaemic children

Lancet. 1994 Feb 12;343(8894):388-90. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)91224-6.

Abstract

We investigated the course of distinct episodes of acute non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis in three polytransfused thalassaemic children. In each case, the first episode was associated with the appearance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and anti-HCV seroconversion. The second episode was accompanied by the reappearance of HCV viraemia, which in two patients was due to reinfection with a different HCV strain and in the third could be the result of either reactivation of primary infection or reinfection with a new but closely related strain. Thus HCV infection may not induce protective immunity, which has implications for vaccine development.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Child, Preschool
  • Hepacivirus / classification
  • Hepatitis C / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Recurrence
  • Thalassemia / complications*
  • Thalassemia / therapy
  • Transfusion Reaction*
  • Viremia / etiology*