Abstract:

Objective　To investigate the production of anti-F protein antibodies in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by Meta analysis. Methods　Relative literatures were searched from the CNKI, Wan Fang, Weipu, SinoMED, Medline, Pubmed, Splingerlink, Cochrane and Science direct from 1968 to November 2012, and hand searching investigation was as complement. The literatures were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The final literatures were consolidated and analyzed by Revman 5.0 software. The results were evaluated by Oxman-Guyatt Overview qualityassessment questionnaire (OQAQ). Results　The results of patients with HCV infection and healthy subjects were compared, and 14 studies with 1 348 patients with HCV infection were enrolled. The positive detection rate of anti-F protein antibodies had statistical significance (P<0.000 01). The superiority of pooled rate was>1. The total odds ratio (OR) was 64.81 [95% confidence interval (CI) 29.90-140.49]. The results of patients with HCV infection and non-HCV infection were compared, and 11 studies with 923 patients with HCV infection were enrolled. The positive detection rate of anti-F protein antibodies had statistical significance (P<0.000 01). The positive detection rate of patients with HCV infection was 53.09 times for that of patients with non-HCV infection (95% CI 23.56-119.66). By comparing the positive detection rate of anti-F protein antibodies with that of anti-core protein antibodies in patients with HCV infection, and 8 studies with 770 patients with HCV infection were enrolled, and there was statistical significance (P<0.000 01). The rate difference (RD) was -0.42 (95% CI -0.59--0.25).The positive detection rate of anti-core protein antibodies was 42%, which was higher than that of anti-F protein antibodies. Conclusions　The positive detection rate of anti-F protein antibodies in patients with HCV infection is significantly higher than those in healthy subjects and patients with non-HCV infection. F protein can induce HCV infection producing anti-F protein antibodies, which is a specific protein. It provides a theoretical basis and datum support for the diagnosis of HCV infection and monitoring the interferon combination therapy.

Key words: Meta analysis, F protein, Hepatitis C virus