The Role of Biochemical Variations and Genotype Testing in Determining the Virological Response of Patients Infected with Hepatitis C Virus

BACKGROUND: In hepatitis C virus (HCV), infection viral and IL28B genotype along with many clinical and biochemical factors can influence response rates to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (Peg-IFN-a/R) therapy and progression to chronic hepatitis C (CHC). AIMS: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of biochemical and risk factors on treatment outcome in CHC patients in relation to their viral and host genotype. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present study was a prospective Pe- IFN efficacy study consisting of Peg-IFN-a/R therapy for 24–48 weeks including 250 HCV infected patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biochemical parameters were determined by Beckman Coulter AU680 automated analyzer. HCV and Interleukin 28B (IL28B) genotyping were carried out by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and viral load was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Wild outnumbered the variant genotypes in rs12979860, rs12980275, and rs8099917 SNP of IL28B gene. Sustained virological response (SVR) SVR and viral genotype were significantly associated with age, hepatic steatosis, low-grade varices, and serum aspartate transaminase levels (at the end of treatment) (P < 0.05). In addition, SVR was significantly influenced by body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, serum low-density lipoprotein , and ferritin levels (P < 0.05). Viral genotype 1 infected patients had higher serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the IL28B sequence variation is the major factor that can influence response rates to antiviral therapy, viral and biochemical factors also have a definite role to play in the diagnosis, etiology, and treatment outcome in HCV-infected patients.