Soluble CD163 and Cytokeratin-18 levels as markers for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the levels of sCD163, MMP9, and CK18 as non-invasive biomarkers for different grades of liver fibrosis in Egyptian chronic hepatitis C patients. The current study included eighty eight (n=88) subjects were divided into four groups for this investigation. Group 1 consisted of healthy control subjects (Control group). Patients with HCV infection (n=75) were divided into three groups included based on their fibrosis grade: G2 (no liver fibrosis, F0), G3 (liver fibrosis, F1-F2), and G4 (liver fibrosis, F3-F4). All patients, ages range between 40-60 years, with clinical, biochemical and sonographical criteria of chronic liver disease non- obese (BMI <30), positive serology for HCV antibody and HCV vireamia, fibroscan showing grades of fibrosis. All patients with other causes of liver disease (e.g. HBV, alcohol, autoimmunity or hemochromatosis), HIV infection, or with severe internal diseases (e.g. cancer, ischemic heart disease, autoimmune disease) were excluded.