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Hepatitis-C Virus Positive Samples

by | Apr 10, 2023 | News Releases | 0 comments

Bay Biosciences provides high quality, clinical grade, cryogenically preserved sera (serum) and matched K3-EDTA plasma specimens from hepatitis-C (Hep-C) virus positive patients.

The sera (serum) and K3-EDTA plasma specimens are processed from hepatitis-C (Hep-C) positive patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.

Hepatitis Virus Overview

Viral hepatitis is the inflammation and damage of liver cells due to infection. There are different types and causes of hepatitis, but signs and symptoms can be similar.

The liver is essential for removing toxins from the blood, storing vitamins, and producing hormones along with other functions. Viral hepatitis can disrupt these important processes, causing various health concerns.

Types of Hepatitis Viruses

There are five main viruses that cause viral hepatitis, termed A, B, C, D and E. These types are of greatest concern due to their potential to cause illness and, in some cases, life threatening complications.

Each type has different characteristics, and transmission happens differently, but the symptoms tend to be similar.

Hepatitis-A

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate around 24,900 new hepatitis A infections each year in the United States.

Overall, the number of U.S. cases has declined during the past 20 years largely due to immunization, but outbreaks sometimes occur.

People typically contract Hepatitis A from food or water that has come into contact with fecal matter from a person with the virus. It is common in many countries, especially those with ineffective sanitation systems.

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis-A

A person will typically experience symptoms within 14–28 days. Symptoms include:

However, many patients do not experience symptoms at all. Most individuals make a full recovery within a few weeks to several months. After this, they have immunity to it. Children under 6 years do not usually show any symptoms.

In rare cases, hepatitis A can be fatal. However, there are safe and effective vaccines that protect against this virus.

Following individuals are at an increased risk for getting hepatitis-A virus:

  • Individuals who use recreational drugs and toxins
  • People living in areas with poor sanitation
  • International travelers
  • People with limited or no access to clean water
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Sexual partners of people with hepatitis A
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness


Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis-A Virus

Doctors typically make a hepatitis A diagnosis by performing blood tests. These tests can detect antibodies antibodies that are specific to hepatitis A.

There is no cure for hepatitis A, but treatment can help manage symptoms, and most patients usually recover. The recovery process may take weeks or even months.

In rare cases, hepatitis A does not resolve, and people may experience complications such as acute liver failure. In such cases, liver transplantation may be lifesaving.

Hepatitis-B Virus

The CDC estimates that around 862,000 individuals in the U.S. are currently living with hepatitis B.

Infection with hepatitis B is usually acute or short term, but it can become chronic, especially in children.

Long-term complications such as liver cancer or cirrhosis, can affect around 15–25% of patients with chronic hepatitis B. There is no cure, but treatment can help manage the disease.

Hepatitis B typically spreads when the blood or semen of a person with the virus enters another person’s body.

Risk factors include the following:

  • Breastfeeding by a person with the virus
  • Birth by someone with the virus
  • Sharing needles
  • Having sexual intercourse without barrier methods
  • Sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor
  • Having a tattoo with unsterilized needles
  • Sustaining accidental skin pricks with medical equipment


Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis-B

Symptoms of hepatitis-B are similar to those of other types of hepatitis. People may initially be asymptomatic or may not display symptoms at all.

When a person with hepatitis B displays symptoms, they may include the following:

Hepatitis-B vaccine is safe and effective and it can protect individuals from the virus. As a result the number of cases has fallen dramatically in countries where the vaccine is available.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis-B Virus

Doctors take several several steps to diagnose hepatitis B. These include speaking with a person about sexual activity and needle use. The diagnostic process will also involve testing blood samples such as antibodies and antigens.

However, there is no cure for hepatitis B, which resolves on its own in 95% of cases. Supportive care can help manage symptoms. In cases of chronic illness, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, and they will monitor the liver regularly to check for damage over time.

During treatment and recovery, a person should also avoid alcohol and drugs and supplements that are toxic to the liver.

Hepatitis B is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and end-stage liver disease worldwide. Rarely, acute hepatitis B can lead to severe liver failure, which requires liver transplantation.


Hepatitis-C Virus

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that usually transmits through people sharing needles or other drug-related equipment.

The CDC estimates that around 2.4 million patients live with this virus in the U.S. The number has been growing every year.

Other individuals at risk of exposure include healthcare workers who handle sharps and children born to females with the virus.

It can be a short-term condition, but more than half of patients with hepatitis C develop a chronic, long-term infection.


Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis-C

A patient may have no symptoms, and around half of patients living with the hepatitis-C virus do not know they have it. They may transmit it to another person without realizing it.

When symptomatic, symptoms of hepatitis C typically include:

  • Dark urine
  • Jaundice
  • Malaise
  • Nausea
  • Right upper quadrant pain


Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis-C

As with hepatitis A and B, the primary diagnostic tool for hepatitis C is laboratory testing for hepatitis C antibodies.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), the body will eliminate the virus in around 25% of people. However, it can remain in the body and become chronic in others.

As explained by the CDC, there is no treatment for the acute stage of hepatitis C. If chronic hepatitis develops, they may prescribe a course of oral medication for 8–12 weeks, after which 9 out of 10 people will no longer have symptoms.

As with other types of hepatitis, people who have hepatitis C should avoid alcohol and drugs and supplements that are toxic to the liver.

In severe cases, Hepatitis C can cause liver scarring (cirrhosis), chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Hepatitis C-related complications are a leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.


Hepatitis-D Virus

Hepatitis D is another viral hepatitis infection that can be acute and chronic. As with other hepatitis infections, it causes damage to a person’s liver.

However, these infections only occur in people who already have hepatitis B. The hepatitis D virus cannot establish itself otherwise. Around 5% of all patients with a hepatitis B infection will develop a hepatitis D infection.

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis-D

Most patients with hepatitis D are asymptomatic.

When symptoms present, they are similar to those of other hepatitis infections. They include the following:


Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis-D

Doctors will make a hepatitis D diagnosis if they can find specific hepatitis D antibodies within the patients bodily fluids. This process involves laboratory testing.

There is no known treatment for acute hepatitis D. Although some experimental work has shown that certain medications might help with chronic hepatitis D, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is yet to approve these treatments.

The hepatitis D infection can cause severe liver damage, and in some cases, the patient may need a liver transplant.


Hepatitis-E Virus

Hepatitis E is a viral hepatitis infection that has acute and chronic forms. The chronic form is more common in immunosuppressed individuals.

The hepatitis E virus is the most frequent cause of acute hepatitis infections and causes over 50,000 deaths per year worldwide.

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis-E Virus

In many cases, hepatitis E infections are asymptomatic. When these infections are symptomatic, they tend to be fairly mild. Symptoms of hepatitis E include:

  • Anorexia
  • Jaundice
  • Malaise
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

Although a person can contract hepatitis E via blood transfusion, food or water that has come into contact with the feces of a person with the virus is the most common infection route.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis-E

Doctors assess several different factors to make a hepatitis E diagnosis. These include their patient’s symptoms and travel history, as hepatitis E infections are endemic in some parts of the world.

Although researchers have not yet developed standardized tests for hepatitis E, laboratory testing is also important.

There is no standard line of treatment for hepatitis E infections, which usually resolve without treatment after a few weeks. However, in more serious and rare cases, a liver transplant may become necessary.

Prevention of Hepatitis Virus

The prevention of hepatitis transmission varies depending on the type.

Experts recommend regular screening for hepatitis A, B and C for those at higher risk. Doctors also routinely screen for hepatitis B and C during pregnancy. The sections below discuss means of prevention by type.

Hepatitis A and E Virus

Hepatitis A and E are most commonly spread through food and water that has come into contact with the feces of a patient with the virus.

Some ways of preventing infection include the following:

  • Avoiding or peeling fruits and vegetables that may have been washed or grown in unsanitized water 
  • Drinking only bottled water when traveling 
  • Ensuring that food is fully cooked and appropriately stored
  • Washing the hands carefully after using the bathroom and before eating

Patients may ask their doctor about the hepatitis A vaccine, especially if they are traveling to an area where the virus is prevalent.

Hepatitis B, C, and D

To minimize the risk of transmission of hepatitis virus, where relevant, the patient should:

  • Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, and manicure instruments
  • Check that any tattoo or acupuncture equipment is sterile
  • Only use previously unused, clean needles
  • Talk openly with any sexual partners about any viruses they may have
  • Use a barrier method, such as a condom, during sex

Individuals with a high risk of exposure to hepatitis B can ask their doctor about vaccination, but there is no vaccination available for hepatitis C.

People who believe they may have hepatitis should seek medical help. A healthcare professional can advise on a person’s treatment, reduce the risk of complications and avoid transmitting the virus.

In patients with HIV, there is a higher risk of contracting a hepatitis B or C infection. The impact can also be more severe, as the body is less able to fight the infection.

To lower their risk of hepatitis infection and complications, people with HIV should:

  • Adhere to their treatment plan
  • Attend all health checks
  • Take precautions to prevent infection and transmission of hepatitis

Immunization can prevent hepatitis A and B, but not C. Treatment is available for hepatitis B and C, but not for hepatitis-A.


Prognosis of Hepatitis Virus

There are five hepatitis viruses, and each type has different characteristics. The outlook for people with hepatitis depends on the type, whether or not they have symptoms, and whether they seek treatment.

Some people do not know they have chronic hepatitis until liver failure occurs.

Different types of hepatitis virus cases have different chances of recovery.

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in providing researchers with high quality, clinical grade, fully characterized human tissue samples, bio-specimens, and human bio-fluid collections.

Samples available include cancer (tumor) tissue, cancer serum, cancer plasma, cancer, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). and human tissue samples from most other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences maintains and manages its own biorepository, the human tissue bank (biobank) consisting of thousands of diseased samples (specimens) and from normal healthy donors available in all formats and types.

Our biobank procures and stores fully consented, deidentified and institutional review boards (IRB) approved human tissue samples and matched controls.

All our human tissue collections, human specimens and human bio-fluids are provided with detailed, samples associated patient’s clinical data.

This critical patient’s clinical data includes information relating to their past and current disease, treatment history, lifestyle choices, biomarkers, and genetic information.

Patient’s data is extremely valuable for researchers and is used to help identify new effective treatments (drug discovery & development) in oncology, and other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences banks wide variety of human tissue samples and biological samples, including cryogenically preserved at – 80°C.

Including fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood-derived products such as serum, plasma and PBMC.

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in collecting and providing human tissue samples according to the specified requirements and customized, tailor-made collection protocols.

Please contact us anytime to discuss your special research projects and customized human tissue sample requirements.

Types of Biospecimens

Bay Biosciences provides human tissue samples (human specimens) from diseased and normal healthy donors which includes:

We can also procure most human bio-specimens, special collections and requests for human samples that are difficult to find. All our human tissue samples are procured through IRB-approved clinical protocols and procedures.

In addition to the standard processing protocols, Bay Biosciences can also provide human plasma, serum, and PBMC bio-fluid samples using custom processing protocols; you buy donor-specific collections in higher volumes and specified sample aliquots from us.

Bay Biosciences also provides human samples from normal healthy donors; volunteers, for controls and clinical research, contact us Now.

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