ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC (HCV) INFECTION

Abstract

Viruses have long been suspected of initiating autoimmune responses and/or diseases, either by molecular mimicry of self-antigens or by self proteins rendering them antigenic. Several extrahepatic manifestations have been associated with chronic HCV infection. Several immunological autoantibodies and/or disorders have been associated with HCV-related chronic liver disease. The role of these antibodies on the course of HCV infection and their clinical significance has not yet been determined. Recently, HCV has been implicated as a cause of APS, which was defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by venous and arterial thrombosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. In our study, we aimed to assess the frequency of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with chronic HCV infection and correlate their presence with clinical features specially thrombotic events. For this purpose ninety patients with chronic HCV infection were included in this study. Those patients were classified into three groups: Group I: included 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C without liver cirrhosis or HCC. Group II: included 30 patients with chronic HCV infection and liver cirrhosis without HCC. Group III: included 30 patients with chronic HCV infection, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. All patients were subjected to thorough clinical history and examination with special emphasis on those related to chronic liver disease, all patients also were subjected to routine laboratory investigations, and ELISA for detection of anticardiolipin antibodies. Our study revealed that, the prevalence of aCL antibodies in our patients was higher than in the normal controls but not associated with thrombotic events in the studied patients.