Effect of HLA on Hepatitis C Virus Clearance and Persistence in Anti-HCV-positive End-stage Renal Disease Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy of immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is determined by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules of the host which present HCV antigens to CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the frequencies of certain HLA class I–II alleles and the natural history of HCV in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in a university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study comprised 189 ESRD patients (candidates for renal transplantation) who had positive anti-HCV antibody test. The results concerning HCV and HLA status were gathered from patients’ files. The viral persistence was compared between the groups that were determined by HLA sub-typing. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical evaluation was performed using Mann–Whitney U-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Level of error was set at 0.05 for all statistical evaluations, and P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We found possible association between the course of HCV infection and specific HLA alleles. HLA class I Cw*6 and HLA class II DRB*10 alleles were observed more frequently in the viral clearance group (P < 0.05). The HLA class I B*38 allele group was more prone to develop chronic hepatitis C (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that HLA class I Cw*6 and HLA class II DRB*10 alleles may be associated with immunological elimination of HCV in Turkish patients on hemodialysis. HLA sub-typing could help predict the prognosis of HCV infection.