Hepatitis: Stoll-Keller F

Stoll-Keller F, Fafi-Kremer S, Wolf P, Doffoël M, Baumert T. · Institut de Virologie de la Faculté de Médecine et Unité INSERM 748, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg. · Bull Acad Natl Med. · Pubmed #19445379 No free full text.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease. About 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected. No preventive or therapeutic vaccine is available. Current antiviral combinations based on pegylated interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin have limited efficacy, poor tolerability and high cost. End-stage liver disease due to chronic HCV infection is a leading indication for liver transplantation (LT). However, re-infection of the liver graft is inevitable, with a high risk of cirrhosis within 5 years. To infect the graft, circulating virions need to attach to and enter hepatocytes, via viral envelope glycoproteins E1-E2. E1-E2 can react with cell receptors despite the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Using the HCV pseudoparticle model system, we found that viral strains selected after liver transplantation are characterized by high infectivity and that they are poorly neutralized by autologous post-transplant serum. A better understanding of the early steps of viral attachment and escape from neutralizing antibodies could lead to novel antiviral strategies.

Stoll-Keller F, Barth H, Fafi-Kremer S, Zeisel MB, Baumert TF. · Inserm, U748 et Laboratoire de Virologie des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé 67000 Strasbourg, France. · Expert Rev Vaccines. · Pubmed #19249975 No free full text.

Abstract: Development of an effective vaccine against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has long been defined as a difficult challenge due to the considerable variability of this RNA virus and the observation that convalescent humans and chimpanzees could be re-infected after re-exposure. On the other hand, progress in the understanding of antiviral immune responses in patients with viral clearance has elucidated key mechanisms playing a role in the control of viral infection. Studies investigating prophylactic vaccine approaches in chimpanzees have confirmed that the induction and maintenance of strong helper and cytotoxic T-cell immune responses against multiple viral epitopes is necessary for protection against viral clearance and chronic infection. A multispecific B-cell response, resulting in rapid induction of cross-neutralizing antibodies may assist cellular responses. Therapeutic vaccine formulations currently being evaluated in clinical trials are facing the fact that the immune system of chronic carriers is impaired and needs the restoration of T-cell functions to enhance their efficacy.

Schramm F, Moenne-Loccoz R, Fafi-Kremer S, Soulier E, Royer C, Weitten T, Brignon N, Ellero B, Woehl-Jaegle ML, Meyer C, Wolf P, Doffoel M, Baumert TF, Gut JP, Stoll-Keller F, Schvoerer E. · Unité Inserm 748, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France. · Pathol Biol (Paris). · Pubmed #18842359 No free full text.

Abstract: Besides hepatocytes, representing the main replication site of hepatitis C virus, peripheral blood mononuclear cells also represent a crucial target for viral infection. Hepatitis C virus compartmentalization (i.e., non-random distribution) of viral variants between plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, more frequently observed in liver transplant patients compared to non-transplanted patients, makes liver transplantation an interesting model for the analysis of hepatitis C leukotropism. This article aims to present, firstly, in clinical and biological features arguing favour of hepatitis C virus infection leukotropism and, secondly, to review current knowledge about compartmentalization between plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, especially in the liver transplantation setting.

Fafi-Kremer S, Zeisel MB, Schvoerer E, Soulier E, Habersetzer F, Wolf P, Doffoel M, Baumert TF, Stoll-Keller F. · Laboratoire de virologie, Inserm U748, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France. · Gastroenterol Clin Biol. · Pubmed #18467058 No free full text.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) results in persistent infection in more than 70% of infected individuals despite the development of humoral and cellular immune responses. Following infection, although antibodies targeting epitopes of both structural and non structural proteins are elicited, the virus evades antibody-mediated neutralization. Studies of host neutralizing responses against HCV have been limited by the lack of a convenient tissue culture system for HCV infection. In the past five years in vitro models have been developed to characterize interaction of HCV glycoproteins with host cell entry factors and detect antibodies interfering with HCV entry and infection. These models have been used to characterize targets of neutralizing responses and better understand their impact on the pathogenesis of infection.

Zeisel MB, Fafi-Kremer S, Fofana I, Barth H, Stoll-Keller F, Doffoel M, Baumert TF. · Inserm Unite 748, Universite Louis Pasteur, 3 Rue Koeberle, Strasbourg F-67000, France. · World J Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #17828813 links to  free full text

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of hepatitis world-wide. The majority of infected individuals develop chronic hepatitis which can then progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Spontaneous viral clearance occurs in about 20%-30% of acutely infected individuals and results in resolution of infection without sequaelae. Both viral and host factors appear to play an important role for resolution of acute infection. A large body of evidence suggests that a strong, multispecific and long-lasting cellular immune response appears to be important for control of viral infection in acute hepatitis C. Due too the lack of convenient neutralization assays, the impact of neutralizing responses for control of viral infection had been less defined. In recent years, the development of robust tissue culture model systems for HCV entry and infection has finally allowed study of antibody-mediated neutralization and to gain further insights into viral targets of host neutralizing responses. In addition, detailed analysis of antibody-mediated neutralization in individual patients as well as cohorts with well defined viral isolates has enabled the study of neutralizing responses in the course of HCV infection and characterization of the impact of neutralizing antibodies for control of viral infection. This review will summarize recent progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization and its impact for HCV pathogenesis.

Cribier BJ, Santinelli F, Schmitt C, Stoll-Keller F, Grosshans E. · Clinique Dermatologique, Hôpitaux Universitaires, Strasbourg, France. · Arch Dermatol. · Pubmed #10566831 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in patients with chronic urticaria. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study and literature review. SETTING: Dermatology department of an academic medical center in Strasbourg, France. PATIENTS: One hundred ten consecutive patients with typical urticaria lasting longer than 2 months were seen between March 1, 1997, and August 31, 1998. None had a history of viral hepatitis. Age- and sex-matched patients (n = 110) seen in the same department and during the same period were included for controls. None of the controls had a history of urticaria, pruritic dermatosis, or hepatitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The detection of HCV antibodies through a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To detect early HCV infection without plasmatic antibodies, genomic amplification of HCV RNA was carried out in all patients using 2 different methods. Hepatitis G virus RNA was detected only by genomic amplification. All measures were planned before data collection. RESULTS: Antibodies to HCV were found in 1 patient with urticaria and in 1 of the control group (0.9% of each group). None had circulating HCV RNA, and liver function test results were within the reference range. Genomic amplification without HCV antibodies was not observed. Two patients with urticaria and 2 of the control group (1.8% of each group) had circulating HGV RNA, but they had neither coinfection with HCV nor changes in their liver function test results. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic HCV screening in patients with chronic urticaria is not cost-effective, at least in Europe, because hepatitis C rates were similar to those of the general population. We could not confirm the hypothesis that urticaria occurs in an early phase of HCV infection-ie, before evidence of HCV can be detected by serologic testing. Hepatitis C virus is unlikely to be the cause of urticaria in the infected patient detected in this study because of the absence of HCV RNA and changes on liver function tests. Hepatitis G virus is also unlikely to be a cause of urticaria, as the rate of HGV positivity in this study was even lower than that in the general French population.

Pastor R, Habersetzer F, Fafi-Kremer S, Doffoel M, Baumert TF, Gut JP, Stoll-Keller F, Schvoerer E. · Institut de Virologie, 3 Rue Koeberle, 67000 Strasbourg, France. · World J Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #19222103 links to  free full text

Abstract: Anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy leads to the emergence of mutant viral strains during the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with nucleos(t)ides analogues. The existence of HBV variants with primary antiviral resistance may be important for treatment choice. We studied two patients with chronic HBV infection by sequencing the HBV polymerase gene. They had adefovir- and tenofovir-related mutations in the viral polymerase, although they had never been treated. These mutations were rtV214A/rtN238T in one patient and rtA194T in the other. Thus, mutations in untreated patients deserve cautious surveillance. These data indicate that mutations that can theoretically confer adefovir or tenofovir resistance may emerge in treatment-naive patients.

Schramm F, Soulier E, Royer C, Weitten T, Fafi-Kremer S, Brignon N, Meyer N, Ellero B, Woehl-Jaegle ML, Meyer C, Wolf P, Doffoël M, Baumert TF, Stoll-Keller F, Schvoerer E. · Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 748, Faculté de Médecine, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. · J Infect Dis. · Pubmed #18925843 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nonrandom distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies (compartmentalization between blood plasma and leukocytes) suggests the presence of HCV leukotropic variants. HCV compartmentalization in the setting of liver transplantation (LT) is poorly understood. To study HCV leukotropic variants, we investigated the evolution of HCV compartmentalization after immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were collected from 5 liver transplant recipients before and after LT. We used clone sequencing to analyze the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1)-E2(384-419) region, which plays a key role in HCV entry and the induction of neutralizing responses, and assessed compartmentalization through phylogenetic analyses and Mantel's test. RESULTS: Compartmentalization was frequent in the LT setting. HCV quasispecies were more homogeneous after LT in both the plasma and PBMC compartments, with a significant decrease in quasispecies complexity (P = .003) and genetic distances (P = .004) after transplantation. Our analysis identified 8 PBMC-related amino acid residues in HVR1. CONCLUSIONS: HCV compartmentalization between plasma and PBMCs and the emergence of leukotropic variants could be potentiated by immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients. The identification of defined leukotropic variants may contribute to the understanding of virus-host interactions after transplantation.

Haberstroh A, Schnober EK, Zeisel MB, Carolla P, Barth H, Blum HE, Cosset FL, Koutsoudakis G, Bartenschlager R, Union A, Depla E, Owsianka A, Patel AH, Schuster C, Stoll-Keller F, Doffoël M, Dreux M, Baumert TF. · Department of Medicine II, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. · Gastroenterology. · Pubmed #18718838 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide. Viral attachment and entry, representing the first steps of virus-host cell interactions, are major targets of adaptive host cell defenses. The mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization by host neutralizing responses in HCV infection are only poorly understood. Retroviral HCV pseudotypes (HCVpp) and recombinant cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) have been successfully used to study viral entry and antibody-mediated neutralization. METHODS: In this study, we used these model systems to investigate the mechanism of antibody-mediated neutralization by monoclonal antienvelope antibodies and polyclonal anti-HCV immunoglobulins purified from HCV-infected patients. RESULTS: Using a panel of monoclonal antienvelope antibodies, we identified an epitope within the E1 glycoprotein targeted by human neutralizing antibodies during postbinding events. Interestingly, we observed that host neutralizing responses in the majority of HCV-infected individuals include antibodies targeting HCV entry after binding of the virus to the target cell membrane. Using a kinetic assay based on HCVpp and HCVcc entry, we demonstrate that purified antiviral immunoglobulins derived from individual HCV-infected patients appear to inhibit HCV infection at an entry step closely linked to CD81 and scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that host neutralizing responses in HCV-infected patients target viral entry after HCV binding most likely related to HCV-CD81, and HCV-SR-BI interactions, as well as membrane fusion. These findings have implications not only for the understanding of the pathogenesis of HCV infection but also for the design of novel immunotherapeutic and preventive strategies.

Fafi-Kremer S, Stoll-Keller F, Baumert TF. · Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale,Unit 748 Strasbourg, France. · Hepatology. · Pubmed #18366112 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Thumann C, Schvoerer E, Abraham JD, Bohbot A, Stoll-Keller F, Aubertin AM, Kieny MP. · Inserm U748, institut de virologie, université Louis-Pasteur, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France. · Gastroenterol Clin Biol. · Pubmed #18341978 links to  free full text

Abstract: AIM: Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) results in chronic hepatitis in more than 70% of cases. Alterations in the maturation of dendritic cells (DC) might play a role in the immune system's inability to eliminate the virus, although viral factors that could be involved have not been identified. This study in vitro investigated whether HCV structural proteins affect maturation of monocyte-derived DC. METHODS: HCV proteins (core, E1, E2) were expressed by transduction with recombinant adenoviruses of immature DC. The ability of these transduced DC to respond to a maturation stimulus was evaluated by measuring cell surface markers, allogenic lymphocyte stimulation and interleukin (IL)-12 production. RESULTS: Expression of HCV structural proteins did not modify DC maturation in the presence of lipopolysaccharide, as determined by their phenotype and stimulatory functioning. IL-12 secretion was not affected by HCV protein expression in mature DC. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HCV structural proteins do not affect maturation of monocyte-derived DC by lipopolysaccharide. These findings are important for further studies to clarify the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection and towards the rational design of cellular vaccine approaches for immunotherapy against hepatitis C.

Bouzgarrou N, Hassen E, Schvoerer E, Stoll-Keller F, Bahri O, Gabbouj S, Cheikh I, Maamouri N, Mammi N, Saffar H, Trabelsi A, Triki H, Chouchane L. · Laboratory of Molecular Immuno-oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Monastir, Tunisia. · J Med Virol. · Pubmed #18297714 No free full text.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the main cause of chronic liver disease throughout the world, and may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immunological factors, especially cytokines and some host genetic variations, rather than direct HCV action, seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCV infection. Elevated levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) were described previously for chronically (HCV)-infected patients. This study is aimed at investigating IL-18 promoter polymorphisms (-607C/A and -137G/C) in HCV-infected patients with different disease severities (chronic hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis and HCC) and establishing an association between these polymorphisms and IL-18 plasma concentration with the outcome of chronic HCV infection. The carriage of at least one C allele at position -607 (CC + CA) was associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis and HCC (P = 0.032). Compared with controls, HCV-infected patients had significantly higher levels of IL-18 (P = 0.0001) that correlate with disease severity (P = 0.01, P = 0.001, P = 0.0006, respectively). In conclusion, we supposed a possible implication of IL-18 promoter polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection.

Zeisel MB, Koutsoudakis G, Schnober EK, Haberstroh A, Blum HE, Cosset FL, Wakita T, Jaeck D, Doffoel M, Royer C, Soulier E, Schvoerer E, Schuster C, Stoll-Keller F, Bartenschlager R, Pietschmann T, Barth H, Baumert TF. · Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U748, Strasbourg, France. · Hepatology. · Pubmed #18000990 No free full text.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide. Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) has been shown to bind HCV envelope glycoprotein E2, participate in entry of HCV pseudotype particles, and modulate HCV infection. However, the functional role of SR-BI for productive HCV infection remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of SR-BI as an entry factor for infection of human hepatoma cells using cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc). Anti-SR-BI antibodies directed against epitopes of the human SR-BI extracellular loop specifically inhibited HCVcc infection in a dose-dependent manner. Down-regulation of SR-BI expression by SR-BI-specific short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) markedly reduced the susceptibility of human hepatoma cells to HCVcc infection. Kinetic studies demonstrated that SR-BI acts predominately after binding of HCV at an entry step occurring at a similar time point as CD81-HCV interaction. Although the addition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) enhanced the efficiency of HCVcc infection, anti-SR-BI antibodies and SR-BI-specific siRNA efficiently inhibited HCV infection independent of lipoprotein. Conclusion: Our data suggest that SR-BI (i) represents a key host factor for HCV entry, (ii) is implicated in the same HCV entry pathway as CD81, and (iii) targets an entry step closely linked to HCV-CD81 interaction.

Laperche S, Bouchardeau F, Thibault V, Pozzetto B, Vallet S, Rosenberg AR, Roque-Afonso AM, Gassin M, Stoll-Keller F, Trimoulet P, Gault E, Chanzy B, Mercier B, Branger M, Pawlotsky JM, Henquell C, Lunel F, Gaudy-Graffin C, Alain S, Chaix ML, Duverlie G, Izopet J, Lefrère JJ. · Centre National de Référence pour les Hépatites B et C en Transfusion, Département des Agents Transmissibles par le Sang, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, 6 rue Alexandre-Cabanel, 75015, Paris, France. · J Clin Microbiol. · Pubmed #17913934 links to  free full text

Abstract: This study, involving 20 laboratories and using currently available assays for hepatitis C virus RNA quantification, demonstrated that differences in viral load values are due not to interlaboratory variations but rather to the nature of the assay itself. This underlines the importance of using the same assay in multicenter studies or when monitoring antiviral therapy.

Schvoerer E, Soulier E, Royer C, Renaudin AC, Thumann C, Fafi-Kremer S, Brignon N, Doridot S, Meyer N, Pinson P, Ellero B, Woehl-Jaegle ML, Meyer C, Wolf P, Zachary P, Baumert T, Stoll-Keller F. · Laboratoire de Virologie, Hopital Civil, Strasbourg, France. · J Infect Dis. · Pubmed #17624837 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: End-stage liver disease as a result of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the main indication for liver transplant (LT), but allografts are systematically infected with HCV soon after transplant. Viral quasispecies are poorly described during the early posttransplant period. METHODS: For 17 patients who received an LT for HCV disease, plasma viral quasispecies evolution was determined by sequence analysis of hypervariable region 1 of the E2 envelope gene before transplant (BT), after 7 days (D7), and after 1 month (M1). T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine levels were determined concomitantly. RESULTS: HCV quasispecies showed a significant decrease in amino acid diversity at D7 and M1, compared with BT (P<.05). A correlation was observed between low plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels at D7 and decreased quasispecies amino acid complexity at the same date. Nucleic acid diversity was lower for genotype 1 than for genotype 3 infection (P<.05). The complexity and diversity of amino acids were lower in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) BT than in those without HCC (P<.05). Conserved amino acid residues within quasispecies were shared by the whole cohort before and after LT. CONCLUSION: Viral structural and/or host immunological features could favor the emergence of fitter HCV strains after LT.

Schvoerer E, Thumann C, Soulier E, Royer C, Fafi-Kremer S, Brignon N, Ellero B, Woehl-Jaegle ML, Meyer C, Wolf P, Jaeck D, Stoll-Keller F. · Institut de virologie et unité Inserm 748, CHRU de Strasbourg, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France. · Pathol Biol (Paris). · Pubmed #17027191 No free full text.

Abstract: Cirrhosis due to chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), associated or not to a primary hepatocarcinoma, has become the first indication of liver transplantation. Graft reinfection by HCV is considered to be systematic while its prognosis is variable from one patient to another. A better knowledge of factors implicated in the occurrence and severity of hepatitis C recurrence is crucial in order to make optimal patients' monitoring. This article aims to present available data in this field, clarifying the role of viral factors (viral load, genotype, evolution of viral quasispecies) and host-related factors (immune response) which could take part in the development of hepatitis C recurrence.

Schvoerer E, Thumann C, Spohrer S, Soulier E, Royer C, Brignon N, Doridot S, Meyer N, Ellero B, Woehl-Jaegle ML, Meyer C, Wolf P, Jaeck D, Stoll-Keller F. · Institut de Virologie et Unité INSERM 748, Strasbourg, France. · J Med Virol. · Pubmed #16789017 No free full text.

Abstract: Cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) lead to more than 30% of liver transplantations. Host- and virus-related mechanisms, involved in the recurrence of HCV infection of the liver graft, are not yet well known. A weak CD4+ T-cell response was shown to be involved in the outcome of re-infection but whether dendritic cell numbers are modified in patients transplanted for HCV-related disease has never been evaluated. Eight transplanted patients for HCV-related disease and eight non-HCV-infected transplanted controls were included. Blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells and myeloid dendritic cells were quantified before transplantation, at day 7 and 1 month after transplantation. Plasma interferon (IFN)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-12 were concomitantly measured. The results showed a significant decrease in the relative (P < 0.0001) and absolute (P = 0.0002) values of blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells at day 7 after transplantation when compared to the values obtained before transplantation, increasing again 1 month later, in both HCV-infected patients and controls. The same tendency was observed for myeloid dendritic cell relative values (P = 0.0004) and plasma IL-12 (P < 0.05). IFN-alpha appeared to be less often detectable for HCV-infected patients. These results obtained on dendritic cell numbers could explain partially the early and systematic recurrence of HCV infection on the liver graft and contribute to better adapted therapeutic strategies.

Zachary P, Ullmann M, Djeddi S, Meyer N, Wendling MJ, Schvoerer E, Stoll-Keller F, Gut JP. · Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberle, 67000 Strasbourg, France. · J Clin Virol. · Pubmed #16122975 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most studies evaluating antibody detection assays are conducted on samples from healthy blood donors but not on samples of hospitalized patients which can show non-specific reactions. OBJECTIVES: To compare the performance of three commercial automated assays for the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, Monolisa anti-HCV Plus version 2, Axsym anti-HCV 3.0 and Vitros anti-HCV, on a population of hospitalized patients. STUDY DESIGN: The specificity of the assays was prospectively evaluated in 2020 routine serum samples. In order to assign the serostatus of each sample, those giving positive or discordant results were further tested by three immunoblots and by RT-PCR (Roche). Moreover, the sensitivity was evaluated on eight commercial HCV seroconversion panels. RESULTS: The Monolisa, Axsym and Vitros assays showed specificities of 99.64%, 99.12% and 99.33%, respectively. Concerning the sensitivity, among 49 samples, the number of positive results was 21, 24 and 24 for the Monolisa, Axsym and Vitros kits, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant at an alpha risk of 5%. CONCLUSIONS: All assays appeared to be reliable for routine screening, but there were a surprising number of indeterminate samples that could not be resolved by confirmatory tests.

Payan C, Roudot-Thoraval F, Marcellin P, Bled N, Duverlie G, Fouchard-Hubert I, Trimoulet P, Couzigou P, Cointe D, Chaput C, Henquell C, Abergel A, Pawlotsky JM, Hezode C, Coudé M, Blanchi A, Alain S, Loustaud-Ratti V, Chevallier P, Trepo C, Gerolami V, Portal I, Halfon P, Bourlière M, Bogard M, Plouvier E, Laffont C, Agius G, Silvain C, Brodard V, Thiefin G, Buffet-Janvresse C, Riachi G, Grattard F, Bourlet T, Stoll-Keller F, Doffoel M, Izopet J, Barange K, Martinot-Peignoux M, Branger M, Rosenberg A, Sogni P, Chaix ML, Pol S, Thibault V, Opolon P, Charrois A, Serfaty L, Fouqueray B, Grange JD, Lefrère JJ, Lunel-Fabiani F. · Laboratoire de Virologie, CHU Angers, France. · J Viral Hepat. · Pubmed #15985012 No free full text.

Abstract: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate, during a short period between 2000 and 2001, in a large population of patients with chronic hepatitis C, the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in France. Data from 26 referral centres, corresponding to 1769 patients with chronic hepatitis C were collected consecutively during a 6-month period. HCV genotyping in the 5'-non-coding region (NCR) was performed in each center using the line probe assay (LiPA, in 63% of cases), sequencing (25%) or primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (12%). HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4, 5, non-subtyped 1 and mixed infection were found in 18, 27, 9, 21, 9, 3, 11 and 1% of our population, respectively. HCV genotype distribution was associated with gender, age, source and duration of infection, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, cirrhosis, alcohol consumption, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. In multivariate analysis, only the source of infection was the independent factor significantly associated with genotype (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, this study shows a changing pattern of HCV genotypes in France, with i.v. drug abuse as the major risk factor, an increase of genotype 4, and to a lesser extent 1a and 5, and a decrease of genotypes 1b and 2. The modification of the HCV genotype pattern in France in the next 10 years may require new therapeutic strategies, and further survey studies.

Zachary P, Ullmann M, Djeddi S, Wendling MJ, Schvoerer E, Stoll-Keller F, Gut JP. · Institut de virologie, faculté de médecine, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France. · Pathol Biol (Paris). · Pubmed #15531115 No free full text.

Abstract: The objective of the study was to assess three immunoblot assays, the Deciscan HCV Plus, the Riba and the Inno-Lia, on 44 discordant samples with three EIA kits. These immunoblots were considered as confirmation reagents. A result was considered as a false positive by anti-HCV antibody assay if the three immunoblots were negative or if two immunoblots were negative with the third being indeterminate and a negative virological genomic diagnosis observed on all the samples. The result was positive if at least two immunoblots out of three were positive. Thus, 34 samples were considered as false positive and ten samples were excluded because it was impossible to conclude between true or false positive result. The 44 discordant results were never confirmed as positive by the use immunoblot or PCR. The three immunoblots were negative for half of the samples and two immunoblots and one indeterminate were observed for 77% of the samples. The false positive results by the Monolisa assay were more often found indeterminate with the Deciscan assay than with the other immunoblots. That was also checked for Vitros/Riba pair. One of the explanations could be the use of common antigens for the reagents from the same manufacturer. The Inno-Lia test is the most specific immunoblot according to the results obtained in our study.

Zachary P, Ullmann M, Djeddi S, Wendling MJ, Schvoerer E, Stoll-Keller F, Gut JP. · Institut de virologie faculté de médecine, 3, rue Koeberlé 67000 Strasbourg, France. · Pathol Biol (Paris). · Pubmed #15531114 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most studies which evaluate antibody detection assays are conducted on blood donors specimens, i.e healthy individuals. Sera collected in patients, vs healthy individuals, can make serological tests difficult because of possible non specific reactions interfering with serological tests. The aim of this work was to compare the specificity and the sensitivity of two commercial automated assays for the detection of hepatitis C virus antibody, Monolisa anti-HCV Plus on the Evolis automate (Biorad) and Axsym anti-HCV 3.0 (Abbott). PATIENTS AND METHOD: The prospective study of specificity included 2020 routine serum samples sent to our virology laboratory. The sensitivity was established with eight commercially available HCV seroconversion panels. RESULTS: The Monolisa and the Axsym assays showed a specificity of 99.64 and 99.12%, respectively. Of 49 specimens from eight commercially available HCV seroconversion panels, the number of positive results was 21 and 24 for the two tests, respectively. CONCLUSION: A statistical analysis of specificity and sensitivity results proved no significant difference between the two tests. Nevertheless, the Monolisa kits could be preferred for its more homogeneous sensitivity than the Axsym test and for its apparent better specificity. The final choice of a kit should also take into account the easiness to perform and an optimal integration in the usual practice of the concerned laboratory.

Lefrère JJ, Roudot-Thoraval F, Lunel F, Alain S, Chaix ML, Dussaix E, Gassin M, Izopet J, Pawlotsky JM, Payan C, Stoll-Keller F, Thibault V, Trabaud MA, Bettinger D, Bogard M, Branger M, Buffet-Janvresse C, Charrois A, Defer C, Laffont C, Lerable J, Levayer T, Martinot-Peignoux M, Mercier B, Rosenberg AR. · Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d'Amiens, France. · J Clin Microbiol. · Pubmed #15131165 links to  free full text

Abstract: Before initiating new large-scale therapeutic trials for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, the French Health Authorities for HCV research decided to organize an evaluation of the expertise of laboratories that could be engaged to undertake molecular biology assays in such trials; 21 experienced laboratories participated in this national evaluation of laboratory expertise, which was performed in two successive rounds. The first round evaluated the laboratories for their abilities to detect HCV RNA in serum, determine genotypes, and quantify HCV RNA loads. The results observed by qualitative assays for HCV RNA detection were 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for all laboratories. The genotyping results were 100% concordant for 9 laboratories and greater than 90% for 10 laboratories. By contrast, large coefficients of variation were observed for quantitative determination of HCV RNA loads, leading to a second round with standardized quantitative assays only. The dispersion of the results was larger by the AMPLICOR HCV Monitor assay than by the branched-DNA assay (mean coefficients of variation, 57.4 and 16.9%, respectively). In the majority of cases, discrepancies between the results of the two tests were found for samples with high viral loads. These results indicate the usefulness of validating, by controlling for expertise, both the reliabilities of laboratories involved in multicenter work and the standardized assays chosen for use in the evaluation of the biological impacts of new therapies.

Stoll-Keller F, Schvoerer E, Thumann C, Navas MC, Aubertin AM. · Institut de Virologie, Faculté de Médecine et Unité INSERM 544-3 rue Koeberlé-67000 Strasbourg. · Bull Acad Natl Med. · Pubmed #14978874 No free full text.

Abstract: In France, HCV seroprevalence is estimated to be 1%. Most cases are related to illicit parenteral drug use. About 80% of patients infected by HCV will develop chronic infection with HCV RNA detectable in their serum. Factors involved in viral persistence are nor yet clearly identified. Patients who develop a chronic infection show a predominant Th2 response, but a weak Th1 response. This immune response imbalance could result from HCV interaction with dendritic cells functions. Several experimental and clinical studies support this hypothesis. New data on HCV strategy to establish chronic infection suggest that immmunomodulatory molecules could be useful to improve efficacy of therapy.

Schvoerer E, Navas MC, Thumann C, Fuchs A, Meyer N, Habersetzer F, Stoll-Keller F. · Institut de Virologie et Unité INSERM 544, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France. · J Med Virol. · Pubmed #12794721 No free full text.

Abstract: Interleukin-12 and -18 (IL-12 and IL-18) are known to enhance the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response synergistically, but their precise involvement in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not well known, especially for IL-18. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to study the production of these cytokines in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of patients infected chronically with HCV before initiation of antiviral therapy. Fifty-six patients and 40 healthy controls were evaluated. Patients infected with genotype 1 or with genotype other than genotype 1 HCV had significantly a high production of plasma IL-12 compared with controls (P < 0.05). However, patients infected with genotype 1 HCV had lower levels of PBMC IL-18 than were founded in the controls (P < 0.05); plasma IL-18 also tended to be lower in this group of patients than in the controls, although nonsignificantly. Plasma IL-18 was related to hepatic histological activity (P < 0.05). The data suggest a relationship between these two cytokines and some features of HCV infection, so that their respective production in relation to the outcome of the infection deserves further study.

Ohl J, Partisani M, Wittemer C, Schmitt MP, Cranz C, Stoll-Keller F, Rongieres C, Bettahar-Lebugle K, Lang JM, Nisand I. · Centre d'AMP de Strasbourg, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, CMCO-SIHCUS, 19 rue Louis Pasteur - BP 120 - 67303 Schiltigheim, France. · Hum Reprod. · Pubmed #12773453 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Assisted reproduction techniques can minimize the risk of infection and treat possible sterility associated with serodiscordant couples. METHODS: We assessed the efficacy of these techniques in 57 couples in which at least one partner had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection that was currently under control (47 men and 10 women). The semen of seropositive men was prepared and tested for viruses. Assisted reproduction techniques included intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF and especially ICSI, with ovarian stimulation that used a long agonist protocol and recombinant FSH. Embryos were transferred on day 3 after oocyte retrieval. RESULTS: For couples with seropositive men, five IUI and 49 IVF or ICSI attempts were perfomed, whilst for seropositive women these numbers were three IUI and 12 IVF or ICSI. No pregnancy occurred following the eight IUI trials. Seroconversion was not observed in any partners of seropositive men. Efficacy of treatment for these couples with ICSI was good, the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 48.8%. The results for seropositive women were disappointing, with a clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer of 9.1%. Fourteen babies from 47 treated couples have so far been born and no pregnancies from IUI. CONCLUSIONS: Assisted reproduction techniques and particularly ICSI provide HIV-1-seropositive men with a safe and highly effective means of fathering children. These techniques may be less effective for seropositive women.