Urinary B2- Microglobulin in hepatitis c patients: Effect of interferon and ribavirin

Abstract

Without doubt that all liver diseases affect the kidney and produce many pictures of renal impairments up to renal failure according to different types of liver diseases,

Renal dysfunction is common in patients with acute and chronic liver disease. The presence of renal failure in this group of patients significantly affects mortality. Several advances have occurred in the management of this complication in the last decade. Improvement in the management of ARF in ALF is reflected in our better understanding of the disease process and better hemodynamic and renal replacement support.

HCV is associated with a fairly large spectrum of histopathological lesions and clinical squeal, in both native and transplanted kidneys. Most such profiles are explained by the immune response to the virus, thereby justifying the statement that ‘it is not the bug that kills you; it makes you kill yourself’! In addition to conventional immune complex-mediated lesions, the most typical pathology is attributed to the formation of Cryoglobulins, which reflects the interaction of immunological and cytopathic effects of HCV on the B-lymphocyte. This study was done to evaluate the relation between hepatitis c virus infection and urinary beta 2- microglobulin as a sign of tubular damage and aim to detect the effect of treatment by interferon and ribavirin on urinary beta -2- microglobulin. One hundred patients with HCV infection were included in this study. Fourteen patients with no treatment (40%) & twenty patients received interferon alpha 2A and ribavirin (20%) & twenty patient received interferon alpha 2B and ribavirin (20%) and twenty patient received ribavirin only (20%). They were subjected to complete medical history, full clinical examination; laboratory investigation include (serum creatinine &urea &HCV ab &PCR & albumin) and abdominal sonar.