Title: Immunogenetics of Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Number: 00-DK-0125
Summary: The course of hepatitis C varies among people infected with
the virus. Some people respond to treatment while many do not; some
recover completely while others remain chronically infected; and
among those who remain infected, some have mild symptoms while
others' symptoms are severe. This study will look for genetic
factors that may contribute to these differences.

Children over 2 years of age and adults with hepatitis C virus
infection or with other kinds of liver disease (such as hepatitis B
virus infection, primary biliary cirrhosis, Wilson's disease and
others), and normal volunteers may be eligible for this study.

Participants will provide 40 to 60 centiliters (1 to 2 ounces) of
blood. DNA will be isolated from the white blood cells for analysis
of genes involved in certain immune functions. The genetic findings
from patients with hepatitis C, patients with other forms of liver
disease, and normal volunteers will be compared to try to learn how
the differences may influence the symptoms and course of hepatitis C
and to understand how the virus causes disease.

The results of this study may provide information useful for
developing a vaccine and better treatments for hepatitis C.

Sponsoring Institute:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK)
Recruitment Detail
Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects
Gender: Male & Female
Referral Letter Required: Yes
Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients who have recovered from past HCV exposure (positive anti-
HCV but negative HCV viremia and absent liver disease).


Patients with asymptomatic HCV infection (positive anti-HCV and HCV
viremia, but persistently normal or minimally elevated ALT and
normal or mild disease on liver biopsy).


Patients with active liver disease (positive anti-HCV and HCV
viremia, persistently elevated ALT and/or moderate disease on liver
biopsy).


Patients with active extrahepatic manifestations of HCV infection
(cryoglobulinemia, glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, etc.).


Patients with rapidly progressive, severe liver disease and/or
hepatocellular carcinoma.


Patients who have undergone or are undergoing treatment.


Patients from a single-source outbreak of HCV infections (in which
the viral factors should be identical and the patients are often
from a homogeneous population with less genetic variability).


HCV infected family members and twins.


Patients with other forms of liver disease including HBV infection,
primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis, hemochromatosis, and Wilson's Disease, as well as
normal volunteers.


EXCLUSION CRITERIA:


Adult subjects with a Hct of less than 30 or pediatric subjects less
than 25 will be excluded.


Children with HCV infection younger than 2 years of age will be
excluded.


Unaffected healthy volunteers who are minors are not eligible for
this study.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided
Keywords:
Cytokines
Treatment
Genetic Polymorphism
Chronic Hepatitis C
Mononuclear Cells
Recruitment Keyword(s):
None
Condition(s):
Hepatitis C
Liver Disease
Investigational Drug(s):
None
Investigational Device(s):
None
Intervention(s):
None
Supporting Site:
N/A

Contact(s):
Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@...

Citation(s):
Human leukocyte antigen and leprosy: study in northern Louisiana and
review

Common west African HLA antigens are associated with protection from
severe malaria

The immunogenetics of human infectious diseases




If you have:

Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient
Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please
contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.