Immunoglobulin M and A antibodies to hepatitis C core antigen in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

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Abstract
To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of IgM and IgA antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen in chronic HCV infection, sera from 47 patients were tested for immunoglobulin class M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody to HCV core antigen by solid‐phase enzyme‐linked immunoassay using a re‐combinant core protein (aa1‐‐150). Results were correlated with the clinical, biochemical and histological parameters, serum HCV RNA levels (determined by branched DNA signal amplification assay), and subsequent clinical response to in‐terferon‐α therapy. IgM anti‐HCV core was detected in 11 patients (23.4 percent). There was no correlation between the presence of IgM anti‐HCV core and the clinical features (sex, age, mode of acquisition), biochemical parameters (serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin level), autoimmune markers [serum globulin levels, anti‐nuclear antibody (+ at < 1:80 in 7/47 patients)], serum HCV RNA levels, subsequent response to interferon‐α therapy, and the histological features. Immunoglobulin A anti‐HCV core was not detected in any of the patients. The presence of IgM ant‐HCV core in a proportion of patients with chronic HCV infection indicates that the presence of serum IgM anti‐HCV core may not be unique to acute HCV infection.