THE CYTOKINE IP-10 IN CHRONIC HBV AND HCV INFECTION

Introduction: IP-10 it has been studied as a predictor of treatment response in chronic HCV infected patients. The data for the HBV infection are not enough. Aim: To compare IP-10 levels in patients with chronic HBV /CHB/and HCV infection /CHC/and their relation to liver disease and treatment response. Material and methods: 20 patients - with CHC genotype 1 infection /on standard bi-therapy/and 32 patients with CHB /21 pts - NUC; 11 pts - IFN/. Results: The IP-10 did not correlate with sex, age, ALT and liver fibrosis. The basal IP-10 were lower in patients with CHB (p=0,017). There was a difference in IP-10 baseline levels among the HCV patients with or without RVR(p=0,007). A negative correlation was found between basal IP-10 and RVR (r=-0,508; p=0,008). Conclusion: IP-10 could predict virological response in patients with CHC on standard bi-therapy, but not in HBV infected patients on standard therapy.