Molecular, genetic, and morphological markers during persistence of RNA-containing hepatitis C virus in the body.
A comparison of 5'-UTR structures in Siberian isolates of hepatitis C virus showed that the majority of genotyped samples had 1b genotype. A correlation was found between HLA antigens and their stable complexes and clinical manifestations of hepatitis C. We revealed immunogenetic criteria of organism's resistance or susceptibility to hepatitis C virus. The presence of hepatitis C virus RNA in the serum determined by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was accompanied by the appearance of pathomorphological signs characteristic of liver tissue infection, but did not correspond to the severity of fibrosis.