Association of hepatitis C virus infection with chronic liver disease in paediatric cancer patients

Eur J Pediatr. 1993 Jun;152(6):490-2. doi: 10.1007/BF01955056.

Abstract

A total of 203 paediatric cancer treatment survivors were tested for serum antibodies against hepatitis-C virus (anti-HCV). Anti-HCV was detected in 41 patients (20.2%) with first generation anti-HCV ELISA. Positive results were confirmed in all samples retested with a second generation ELISA (n = 35) and in all but two cases re-analysed by immunoblotting (n = 23). Anti-HCV positive children had received significantly more blood product transfusions compared to seronegative patients. In 75 children (32%) chronic liver disease was found. It was defined as an elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase values to a least 2.5 times the upper limit of normal persisting for 6 months or longer. Hepatitis A was never detected, and in 58 children the chronic hepatopathy was unexplained by hepatitis B (non-A non-B chronic liver disease). Of these patients 29 (50%) were seropositive for anti-HCV. Surprisingly, non-A/non-B chronic liver disease was associated with anti-HCV in 14 of 19 solid tumour patients (78.9%), but in no more than 14 of 39 leukaemia and lymphoma patients (35.9%). This phenomenon was not explained by different rates of cytomegalovirus disease and drug toxicity related hepatopathies between the two groups. It may be related to differences of leukaemia/lymphoma compared to solid tumour therapy schedules (differential immunosuppression and liver toxicity).

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatitis C / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / complications
  • Liver Diseases / immunology
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies