| [ Summary ] |
Hepatitis C Virus RNA (HCV-RNA) has been identified in various extra-hepatic organs including reproductive organs and fluids. However, there is no evidence that parenchymal cells other than hepatocytes are infected with HCV. In hematopoietic cells, HCV-RNA has been identified in B lymphocytes, monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells. The existeuce of HCV-RNA in T lymphocytes is controversial. Although, HCV is thought to exist and proliferaie in the cytosol of these cells, the presence of negative strand genomes. which shows active HCV replication has not been confirmed. Now, a highly strand specific RT-PCR method for negative s trand genomes, using tagged primer and rTth is available. To confirm the theory of extra-hepatic HCV replication in hematopoietc cells, extended examination must be performed, using highly strand specific RT-PCR methods. |