Korean J Med.  1998 Aug;55(2):185-194.

Detection for HCV RNA by Insitu Hybridization and Immunohistochemistry in Anti-HCV Positive Chronic Liver Disease

• Hong KP
• Choi SK
• Park CS
• Kim SJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
PCR is useful for detecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum and tissue, but this technique can not indicate the specific site of HCV localization. In situ hybridization is widely applied as an effective method to detect the positive signal in the preservation of histological architecture with high specificity. In situ detection of HCV genome and gene production is important to allow for identification of cellular tropism, obtaining clues to the subcellular site of viral replication, and defining host-viral interaction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of sandwich in situ hybridization (SISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in biopsy specimen of patients with anti-HCV positive chronic liver disease.
METHODS
The cellular localization of HCV RNA in 28 cases of anti-HCV positive chronic liver disease was studied by SISH and the results were compared with those obtained by IHC.
RESULTS
Positivity of IHC was 33.3% in chronic persitent hepatitis, 55.6% in chronic active hepatitis and 75.0% in liver cirrhosis. Positivity of SISH was 50.0% in chronic persitent hepatitis, 88.9% in chronic active hepatitis and 75.0% in liver cirrhosis. Positve staining, redish precipitate, was mainly noted in the cytoplasm of hepatocyte. Detection rate of HCV by SISH and IHC in 28 anti-HCV positive chronic liver disease is 78.6% and 53.6%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
: Detection of HCV in liver by SISH and IHC is an useful method. But detection of HCV RNA sequences by in SISH appears to be a more sensitive method than IHC (p<0.05).

Keyword

Sandwich in situ hybridization (SISH); Hepatitis C virus (HCV); Chronic liver disease

MeSH Terms

Base Sequence
Biopsy
Cytoplasm
Genome
Hepacivirus
Hepatitis
Hepatitis, Chronic
Hepatocytes
Humans
Immunohistochemistry*
In Situ Hybridization
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Diseases*
Liver*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tropism
RNA