Case Report
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2006; 12(4): 659-661
Published online Jan 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i4.659
Different outcomes of nosocomial infection with hepatitis C virus from the same origin
Satoru Kakizaki, Hitoshi Takagi, Yuichi Yamazaki, Naondo Sohara, Ken Sato, Takeaki Nagamine, Masatomo Mori
Satoru Kakizaki, Hitoshi Takagi, Yuichi Yamazaki, Naondo Sohara, Ken Sato, Masatomo Mori, Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
Takeaki Nagamine, Department of Clinical Nursing, Gunma University School of Health Sciences, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
Correspondence to: Satoru Kakizaki, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan. kakizaki@showa.gunma-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-27-220-8127 Fax: +81-27-220-8136
Received: May 11, 2005
Revised: May 28, 2005
Accepted: July 1, 2005
Published online: January 28, 2006
Abstract

The outcome of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) varies substantially from self-limiting infection to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma among the individuals. The mechanisms that determine the clearance or the persistence of HCV have not yet been clarified. Here, we experienced two cases of hospital-related infection with HCV from the same origin but with quite different outcomes. One case resolved after an episode of acute hepatitis, while the other case developed a chronic hepatitis although they were infected with HCV of the same origin. Although infected with the virus of the same origin, the clinical and virological courses were completely different. This suggests that host factors play a major role in conditioning the outcome of acute HCV infection.

Keywords: Nosocomial infection, Hepatitis C virus, HLA