Scientists at Rockefeller University are trying to understand a process of superinfection exclusion and believe that finding a way to recreate it therapeutically could create new avenues of treatment for Hepatitis C. They tried to infect cells with variants of the hepatitis C virus that had already been infected with a hepatitis C virus they were able to grow in a cell culture. They were unable to infect these grown cells with the variants until they introduced a drug that was capable of inhibiting virus replication. Hepatitis C virus is spread by blood to blood contact with an infected person and can cause chronic liver disease. It is the number one cause of liver transplant in the U.S.

Apparently when an already infected cell gets a second viral infection it is referred to as a superinfection. But a second infection isn’t always possible because some viruses, like hepatitis C, won’t share their cells. This is referred to as superinfection exclusion. The scientist involved in the study indicated that a virus can interfere with a secondary infection by the way it attaches to the cell, the way it penetrates the cell, or its access to the cell. The limited resources in the cell can be confiscated by the first virus so none are available for the competing virus, thus the competing virus cannot live in the cell. The scientists, in this study, believe that the secondary infection is blocked at some point after entering the cell at points involved in replication. They are planning studies for the future to try to identify the important proteins involved.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by The

Rockefeller University

According to the information posted on wikipedia it is estimated that 150-200 million people worldwide have a hepatitis C infection. The people in the U.S. that are at high risk for the disease; are involved in unsafe sex, have used intravenous drug, or received tattoos from questionable needles.

“Generalized signs and symptoms associated with chronic hepatitis C include fatigue, marked weight loss, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, joint pain, intermittent low-grade fevers, itching, sleep disturbances, abdominal pain (especially in the right upper quadrant), appetite changes, nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, cognitive changes, depression, headaches, and mood swings.”

Hepatitis C Virus isn’t usually diagnosed during the acute phase because most people don’t show any of the symptoms. Chronic hepatitis is usually suspected based on a person’s medical history.

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