Objective: To demonstrate HCV infection and replication in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of hepatitis patients by the methods of molecular biology, immunolgy and electron microscopy. Methods: HCV RNA and antigens were detected in the PBMCs of 28 patients with chronic hepatitis C by RT-PCR, Immunohischemitry and electron microscopy, respectively. Results: The positive rate of HCV RNA and HCV antigens were 77.27% (17/22) and 75.00% (21/28), respectively. Two types of spherical HCV-like particles with diameter of approximately 65nm and 110nm were observed in cytoplasmic vesicles by electron microscopy in the PBMCs with high titer of HCV RNA and antigens in 10 patients. The budding and shedding of these particles could also be found in the cytoplasmic vesicles. Immunoelectron microscopy using antibodies against HCV core and NS3 demonstrated that the particles contained HCV antigens. Conclusion: HCV can infect and replicate in the PBMCs of patients with chronic hepatitis C.%目的：以分子生物学、免疫学及电镜等技术对慢性丙型肝炎患者PBMCs进行综合检测,以证实其受HCV感染,并试图在电镜下发现和证实感染细胞内HCV颗粒。 方法：以逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和免疫组织化学等技术分别检测患者PBMCs内的HCV RNA和HCVAg，以常规和免疫电镜技术观察研究感染细胞内HCV的形态、定位和超微结构改变。结果：HCV RNA阳性检出率为77.27%（17/22）,HCVAg为75%（21/28）。其中10例HCVAg强阳性PBMCs标本中，电镜下均发现直径分别约为65nm和110nm圆球型HCV样颗粒，并可见病毒芽生形成。免疫电镜证明所见病毒颗粒含HCV抗原性，确认为HCV颗粒。结论：HCV可感染慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞并在其中复制。
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