Immunological Shifts in Hcv Infection: Enhanced Liver Biomarkers, Cd56bright Nk Cells and Impaired Cytotoxicity in Cd16dim Subset
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is chronic, asymptomatic, inflammatory, progressive, and slow-moving. Objectives: The objective of the study were distribution of acute and chronic infections, treatment outcomes, immune cell levels, viral load, and gender-related disparities in liver enzyme levels. Methodology: The study employed the Abbott PCR apparatus for real-time thermocycling, the MINDRAY BA-88A Semi-Automatic Clinical Chemistry Analyzer, and flow cytometry to analyze samples from Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infected patients, with a specific emphasis on evaluating CD56 and CD16 markers on Natural Killer (NK) cells. Results: This study findings highlighted 87.5% of patients exhibited liver cirrhosis, a severe condition linked to liver failure, while 12.5% had hepatocellular carcinoma. Out of 150 patients 52% had acute HCV infection, 10% had chronic infection, and 38% endured treatment. CD56+ NK cell levels averaged 21±4, with males at 22±6 and females at 18±4, suggesting gender-related differences. CD16+ NK cells averaged 9±4 overall, with males at 8±2 and females at 12±4. Viral load ranged from 62,000-65,000IU/mL (41.33%) to 310,000-418,000IU/mL (7.33%). Genotype 3a was most prevalent (51.70%), while 1a, 2a, and 3b constituted 10.80%, 13.80%, and 17.10%, respectively. Gender disparities were noted in ALT (males: 127±8, females: 113±2), AST (males: 131±4, females: 117±1), and GGT (males: 62±3, females: 49±2) levels. Conclusion: The study concluded that the liver cirrhosis as the predominant condition in HCV-infected patients, indicating substantial liver damage due to HCV infection. The study also emphasized the potential of HCV treatment in mitigating liver cancer risk.
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis C virus research
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4388480943