A Study of Serum Interlukin–8 Level in Chronic  Hepatitis C Infected Patients in Suez Canal Area

Fatema M. Hefney; Mohamed Mohy Eldin; Mohamed Eze Eldin; Manal Fawzy

Volume : III, Issue : VII, July - 2013

A Study of Serum Interlukin–8 Level in Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Patients in Suez Canal Area

Fatema M. Hefney, Mohamed Mohy Eldin, Mohamed Eze Eldin, Manal Fawzy

Abstract :

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major etiological agents of chronic viral hepatitis. It often progresses to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interleukin–8 (IL–8) is a cytokine involved in the cellular response to inflammation, being a powerful chemoattractant for neutrophils. This work aimed to estimate serum level of IL–8 in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients due to HCV. Methods: This study included fifty CLD patients due to HCV and fifty controls. They were subjected to history taking, liver biopsy, liver function tests and other laboratory tests. Serum IL–8 had been assayed by IMMULITE® 1000 IL–8. Results: Serum IL–8 levels were significantly higher in chronic HCV patients compared to controls. Non–responders had higher baseline interleukin–8 levels than responders. Conclusions: Serum IL–8 is a significant predictor for interferon/ribavirin therapy response in studied chronic HCV patients. Responders are found to have lower pretreatment serum IL–8 than non–responders.