This grant seeks to increase our understanding of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) sexual transmission by studying five HCV sexual transmission pairs. Data suggests that HCV can replicate in several anatomic compartments including the liver, white blood cells, and within the genital tract (1-3). Furthermore, viruses replicating in these different compartments can be characterized by small differences in their sequences. The primary aim of the research is to determine where in the transmitting partner the HCV that established infection in the recipient came from by determining their sequence characteristics. Following identification of transmission pairs where HCV was likely acquired via sex, samples of bodily fluids that may be involved in transmission will be collected from the source partner including semen and blood. Blood will also be collected from the subject in the pair who acquired HCV infection. Following isolation of HCV from these fluids we will use massively parallel sequencing methods to generate a detailed sequence signature for the HCV in the various compartments. We will then compare these sequence signatures between the transmitting and recipient partners to determine where the virus that infected the partner likely originated in the transmitter.
A second aim of the research is to determine whether difference exist in HCV sequences and distribution between persons who are co-infected with HIV and those who have HCV alone. To accomplish this an additional 5 subjects will be enrolled so that we can analyze 5 HCV and 5 HCV/HIV chronically infected subjects who either transmitted HCV or would be possible HCV transmitters.

Public Health Relevance

An outbreak of sexually transmitted HCV infection has recently been recognized among HIV positive men who have sex with men (4). This group is of particular interest given the high prevalence and accelerated clinical course of HCV in the setting of HIV co-infection (5). The information gathered from these studies should increase our understanding of HCV replication and transmission and could potentially lead to improved strategies to prevent transmission.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AI097061-01A1
Application #
8330105
Study Section
AIDS Clinical Studies and Epidemiology Study Section (ACE)
Program Officer
Brobst, Susan W
Project Start
2012-02-15
Project End
2014-01-31
Budget Start
2012-02-15
Budget End
2013-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$232,188
Indirect Cost
$82,188
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
Carlin, Aaron F; Aristizabal, Paula; Song, Qinghua et al. (2015) Temporal dynamics of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines during sofosbuvir and ribavirin therapy for genotype 2 and 3 hepatitis C infection. Hepatology 62:1047-58
Little, Susan J; Kosakovsky Pond, Sergei L; Anderson, Christy M et al. (2014) Using HIV networks to inform real time prevention interventions. PLoS One 9:e98443