Detailed Investigation of the Humoral Immune Response to HCV to identify Diagnostic and Prognostic Serological Markers

据估计，澳大利亚丙型肝炎的流行率为242,000人，其中80%的感染是由于使用感染药物而获得的。目前可用的检测方法可以用来可靠地确定丙型肝炎感染的流行情况，但没有提供关于感染发生率的信息。通过彻底调查感染丙型肝炎的个体产生的免疫反应，我们打算确定可用于区分感染不同阶段的相互作用。这项研究的预期结果包括确定近期丙型肝炎感染的标志物。这将允许对丙型肝炎进行准确的流行病学监测，更好地设计方案以控制传播、跟踪疫情和管理治疗方案。识别一种能够预测感染的临床结果的标志物对临床医生来说将是非常宝贵的，因为在急性丙型肝炎感染后，20%到30%的人可以在不需要治疗干预的情况下解决他们的感染问题。这项研究中获得的信息还将有助于更好地解释诊断实验室的结果，提高我们向献血者提供清晰准确报告的能力，从而在安全性和献血者留存方面加强澳大利亚的血液供应。

The prevalence of Hepatitis C in Australia has been estimated at 242 000 people with 80% of infections acquired as a result of infection drug use. The currently available assays can be used to reliably determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection but provide no information regarding the incidence of infection. By thoroughly investigating the immune response generated by individuals infected with Hepatitis C we intend to identify interactions which can be used to differientiate between the different stages of infection. The expected outcomes of this study include the identification of a marker of recent Hepatitis C infection. This will permit accurate epidemiological monitoring of Hepatitis C, better design of programs to control the spread, trace outbreaks and manage treatment programs. The identification of a marker capable of predicting the clinical outcome of infection would be invaluable to clinicians, because following acute infection with Hepatitis C, 20 to 30% of individuals will resolve their infection without the need for therapeutic intervention. The information obtained in this study will also lead to a better interpretation of diagnostic laboratory findings, improving our ability to provide clear and accurate reports to blood donors and consequently enhance the Australian blood supply in terms of safety and donor retention.