Immune Response to Hepatitis C Virus
Immune Response to Hepatitis C Virus
The purpose of the study is to investigate the immune response to hepatitis C virus to
 determine why some people clear the virus and others develop chronic infection. Changes in
 immune response once hepatitis C therapy is begun will also be examined. If patients are also
 HIV+, the effect of antiretroviral therapy on the recovery of hepatitis C immunity will be
 investigated.
We will analyze the peripheral (blood) and intrahepatic (liver) immune response in hepatitis
 C infection in patients with clear hepatitis C infection and those who develop chronic
 infection. We hope to determine immune responses that are important for eliminating the
 infection. Currently, the treatments for hepatitis C are not effective for everyone. For
 those patients enrolled who begin hepatitis C treatment, we will evaluate the immune system
 of people who respond compared to those who do not respond. If the patient is HIV positive,
 the change in hepatitis C immune response once various HIV medicines (antiretrovirals) are
 started will also be examined. Any treatment for hepatitis C or HIV will be determined by the
 patient's primary physician and will not be affected by enrollment in the study.

 Blood samples of ~70 cc will be obtained no more than once per week. Patients who begin
 hepatitis C therapy or antiretroviral therapy if HIV coinfected will provide serial specimens
 for examination. Patients who undergo liver biopsy as a part of their routine hepatitis care
 will provide a sample for further studies of the immune response to see if it is different in
 the liver compared to the blood.
This is not a clinical trial.

 Inclusion Criteria

 -  HCV infected and uninfected (controls)

 -  Women

 -  Minorities

 Exclusion Criteria

 -  Children

 -  Individuals who cannot or will not provide informed consent