Detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in Normal Cervical Smears of HCV‐Seropositive Patients

Abstract

The presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in normal cervical smears (CS) obtained from 22 HCV-seropositive and 50 HCV-seronegative patients was assessed by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The presence of HCV in serum was established by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot test, and RT-PCR. HCV was detected in 36.4% (n=8) of CS cells recovered from 22 HCV-seropositive patients, but not in CS samples obtained from 50 HCV-seronegative patients. Furthermore, cells from the CS of 2 seropositive/smear-positive patients and 1 seropositive/smear-negative patient were isolated; HCV RNA was detectable in the cervical lymphocytes of the 2 smear-positive patients, but not in epithelial cells or granulocytes. HCV RNA is detectable in the CS of some HCV-seropositive women. The clinical importance of these data requires further study.

Limited evidence of HCV transmission in stable heterosexual couples from Bahia, Brazil

“…HCV sequences can be detected in semen, cervical fluid and saliva [19][20][21] thus suggesting that sex or even intimate contact between family relatives may be a risk. Importantly, 20-50% of all HCV infected patients do not have an identifiable risk factor [22,23].…”

Extrahepatic replication of HCV: Insights into clinical manifestations and biological consequences

“…However, the underlying biological mechanisms have not been elucidated. Similarly, the detection of HCV RNA in cervical lymphocytes 106 and HCV compartmentalization within cervicovaginal fluid 72 suggests that this compartment may contribute to the sexual transmission of HCV. Nonetheless, few studies have examined the temporal relationship between HCV RNA levels in extrahepatic compartments and the development of specific extrahepatic complications, although successful treatment of HCV is frequently associated with resolution of several extrahepatic complications of HCV infection.…”

Cervicovaginal shedding of hepatitis C viral RNA is associated with the presence of menstrual or other blood in cervicovaginal fluids

“…14 Manavi et al localized the presence of HCV RNA to cervical lymphocytes, but not to cervical epithelial cells or cervical granulocytes. 13 In light of these past studies, our data suggest that the presence of a cervix is necessary for shedding of HCV RNA in female genital tract fluids.…”

“…12,13 Two studies specifically excluded cervical samples that were contaminated by hemoglobin assessed by spectrophotometry 14 or by the presence of erythrocytes assessed microscopically. 12 The remainder did not assess the presence of blood or hemoglobin in connection with detection of HCV RNA.…”

“…12 The remainder did not assess the presence of blood or hemoglobin in connection with detection of HCV RNA. [13][14][15][16] Thus, studies to date have not explored the relationship between HCV shedding in cervicovaginal fluids and the presence of menstrual or other blood in the female genital tract.…”