A Study of Serum Interlukin–18 Level in Chronic  Hepatitis C Infected Patients in Suez Canal Area

Nadia A. Ahmed; Faten Z. Mohamed; Mohamed S. EL–ghareb; Manal S. Fawzy

Volume : III, Issue : IX, September - 2013

A Study of Serum Interlukin–18 Level in Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Patients in Suez Canal Area

Nadia A. Ahmed, Faten Z. Mohamed, Mohamed S. El Ghareb, Manal S. Fawzy

Abstract :

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem. Interleukin–18 (IL–18) plays a critical role in T helper type 1 (Th1) response required for host defense against viruses and antibodies to IL–18 have been found to prevent liver damage in a murine model. This work aimed to estimate serum level of IL–18 in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients due to HCV and correlate it to response to combined therapy. Methods: This study included 45 CLD patients due to HCV and 45 controls. They were subjected to history taking, liver biopsy, liver function tests and other laboratory tests. Serum IL–18 levels were assayed by an enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum IL–18 levels were significantly higher in chronic HCV patients compared to controls. Non–responders had higher baseline interleukin–18 levels than responders. Conclusions: Serum IL–18 could be a significant predictor for interferon/ribavirin therapy response in chronic HCV patients with other tests. The best cut–off value of IL–18 for the prediction of the response is ≤ 482.5 pg/ml with 58.3% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity and the area under curve (AUC) is 0.62.