TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in HCV viremia following LDL apheresis in a HCV positive patient with familial hypercholesterolemia
AU - Marson, P.
AU - Boschetto, R.
AU - De Silvestro, G.
AU - Martini, S.
AU - Gabelli, C.
AU - Buoro, S.
AU - Giordano, R.
AU - Palù, G.
PY - 1999/9
Y1 - 1999/9
N2 - It has been suggested that hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be associated with beta-lipoprotein in human serum. According to this, the LDL receptor could promote endocytosis of such a virus. In the present study, we evaluated the changes in HCV viremia in a HCV positive patient with familial hypercholesterolemia, undergoing both selective (DALI System, Fresenius) and non-selective (plasma exchange) LDL apheresis. HCV-RNA levels did not decrease following selective LDL apheresis, on the contrary showed a random, odd variation pattern (from -35% to +72%). Conversely, plasma exchange steadily induced a drop in HCV viremia (-35/43%), to a lower extent than that of a totally intravascular plasmaprotein, i.e., alpha 2-macroglobulin (-53/54%). These data indicate that beta-lipoprotein may not function as a plasma carrier of HCV, at least in the present case. Moreover, a continuous, quantitatively unforeseeable circulation of HCV virions from the intravascular plasma compartment to other extravascular and intracellular sites, seems to occur during an apheresis session.
AB - It has been suggested that hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be associated with beta-lipoprotein in human serum. According to this, the LDL receptor could promote endocytosis of such a virus. In the present study, we evaluated the changes in HCV viremia in a HCV positive patient with familial hypercholesterolemia, undergoing both selective (DALI System, Fresenius) and non-selective (plasma exchange) LDL apheresis. HCV-RNA levels did not decrease following selective LDL apheresis, on the contrary showed a random, odd variation pattern (from -35% to +72%). Conversely, plasma exchange steadily induced a drop in HCV viremia (-35/43%), to a lower extent than that of a totally intravascular plasmaprotein, i.e., alpha 2-macroglobulin (-53/54%). These data indicate that beta-lipoprotein may not function as a plasma carrier of HCV, at least in the present case. Moreover, a continuous, quantitatively unforeseeable circulation of HCV virions from the intravascular plasma compartment to other extravascular and intracellular sites, seems to occur during an apheresis session.
KW - Familial hypercholesterolemia
KW - Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
KW - LDL apheresis
KW - Plasma exchange
KW - Viremia branched DNA assay
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0032754980&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0032754980&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 10532434
AN - SCOPUS:0032754980
VL - 22
SP - 640
EP - 644
JO - International Journal of Artificial Organs
JF - International Journal of Artificial Organs
SN - 0391-3988
IS - 9
ER -