lNTERLEUKlN - 8 - AND GRANULOCYTE MACROPHAGE - COLONY STIMULATING FACTOR lN CHRONIC HEPATITS B &C VIRAL lNFECTION

Abstract

In the last few decades, five hepatitis viruses (A to E) have been well chara_cterized and few more putative agents (F,G&Z) are likely to be added to the existing alphabet .

.• The pathogenesis of different types of viral hepatitis and the mechanisms underlying hepatocellular inJury are poorly understocd However , .the degree of hepatocellular necrosis sei:n in viral hepatitis appears to depend on the host's immune response to infected hepatocytes , especially in viruses which are known not to have any or to have little cytopathic effect

' lL-8 & GM-CSF have been involved in pathogensis of diversity of

liver conditions including viral hepatitis, they are a principal mediator of infiammation and cellular immUile,response .

The aim of the present work is to study serum levels of IL-8 and

GM-CSF in chronic hepatitis B&C viral infection.

30 patients with chronic viral hepatitis and I 0 age- and sex- matched

.' controls were selected for th!s stady . Patients were divided into 3 groups

•.according to aetiology, t,rroup '] ( patient with chronic HBV) group II ( • . .•.' "h•. patients with ch1'bnic HCV) and t,JToup III (patients with concomittent

0 . chronic HBV and HCV ).