It is unclear whether the current antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in complete elimination of the virus, or whether small quantities of virus persist. Our study group comprised 17 patients with chronic HCV who had sustained virological response (SVR) after interferon/ribavirin treatment. Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected 2 to 3 times at 3-to 6-month intervals starting 40 to 109 months (mean, 64.2 ؎ 18.5 months) after the end of therapy. In addition, lymphocyte and macrophage cultures were established at each point. In 11 patients, frozen liver tissue samples were available from follow-up biopsies performed 41 to 98 months (mean, 63.6 ؎ 16.7 months) after therapy. Presence of HCV RNA was determined by sensitive reversetranscriptase polymerase chain reaction, and concentration of positive and negative strands was determined by a novel quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Only 2 of 17 patients remained consistently HCV RNA negative in all analyzed compartments. HCV RNA was detected in macrophages from 11 patients (65%) and in lymphocytes from 7 patients (41%). Viral sequences were also detected in 3 of 11 livers and in sera from 4 patients. Viral replicative forms were found in lymphocytes from 2 and in macrophages from 4 patients. In conclusion, our results suggest that in patients with SVR after therapy, small quantities of HCV RNA may persist in liver or macrophages and lymphocytes for up to 9 years. This continuous viral presence could result in persistence of humoral and cellular immunity for many years after therapy and could present a potential risk for infection reactivation. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41:106 -114.)

We have analyzed the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) sequences in bone marrow and serum samples from 48 patients of a hematologic outpatient clinic. HCV RNA was detected in 18 (38%) and 15 (31%) and HGV RNA was detected in 6 (13%) and 9 (19%) of serum and bone marrow samples, respectively. In 3 patients, HGV RNA was detectable in bone marrow but not in the serum; 2 of these patients were negative for the presence of specific antibodies. Using a highly strand-specific Tth-based reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the presence of HCV RNA and HGV RNA negative strand was demonstrated in 4 and 5 bone marrow samples, respectively. Our study shows that HCV and HGV can replicate in bone marrow; in the case of HGV, analysis of serum may underestimate the true prevalence of infection.

Considering the high proportion of patients who objected to having LP performed in the absence of neurological symptoms and the risk associated with this procedure, it may be preferable to use treatments with good CNS penetration in all HIV-positive patients with early syphilis.

ObjectivesLinkage to care after HIV diagnosis remains underinvestigated in Europe, yet delays in linkage to care are an important obstacle to controlling the HIV epidemic. The Test and Keep in Care (TAK) project aims to determine the prevalence of HIV-positive persons who are lost or late to care and factors associated with this. MethodsData from community-based voluntary counselling and testing that occurred in 2010-2011 were linked with data from HIV clinics using unique test numbers. Persons not registered in HIV clinics were considered lost to care (LTC). For statistical analysis, nonparametric tests were used for comparison, and a multivariable logistic regression model was developed that included all variables with P < 0.1 from the univariable models. ResultsA total of 110 persons were diagnosed as HIV-positive: 91% lived in central Poland, 5% were female and 71% were men who have sex with men (MSM). Forty-seven (42%) persons were LTC, seven of whom did not collect their enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test result. Of those who registered, 75% registered within 1 month from HIV diagnosis, and 54% were late presenters. LTC individuals were more likely to have heterosexual or bisexual orientation, to have > 20 sexual partners, to not be in a relationship with an HIV-positive partner, to not use condoms, and to be taking their first HIV test. In a logistic regression model, after adjusting for these factors, using condoms in a stable relationship decreased the odds of LTC by 72% (odds ratio 0.28; confidence interval 0.11−0.67). ConclusionsIntegration into care after HIV diagnosis requires improvement. Our results suggest that broadening awareness and counselling about sexual risks may have a positive impact.