ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus [HCV] has emerged as a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Most people who contact HCV infection become persistently infected, and the mechanism by which infection is established seems to be related to the lack of development of effective immune response. The aim of this study was evaluation of the role of IL-10 which is a marker of T helper-2 [Th-2] cell activities in the pathogenesis of chronicity of HCV
Methods: Forty five subjects were included in the study. They were divided into three groups as follows: group I [Control group] included 15 healthy individuals, group II included 15 individuals with positive ELISA test for hepatitis C antibodies but with negative PCR test for HCV RNA and Group III included 15 patients with positive ELISA test for hepatitis C antibodies and positive PCR test for HCV RNA. Complete history taking, full clinical examination and ultrasonography were done for all individuals included in this study. All individuals were subjected to the laboratory investigations including Liver function tests, measurements of liver enzymes, ELISA test for HCV antibodies, PCR for HCV RNA and determination of IL-10 by ELISA technique
Results: there was a highly significant increase in the level of IL-10 in group II and group III when compared with control group [P<0.001], also, IL-10 showed a highly significant increase in group III when compared with group II [P<0.001]. There was also a highly significant positive correlation between IL-10 and each of the liver enzymes: ALT, AST, ALP and GGT. In conclusion, this study shows that patients with chronic HCV infection have an elevated level of serum IL-10 which reflects increased T-helper type 2 cell activities that may lead to suppression of Th1 cells which may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection. According to these findings, IL-10 assay may be used as a test to predict those who are liable to develop progressive chronic hepatitis C or the possible response to different lines of treatment. Moreover, the findings of this study drive the attention to the need to develop new therapeutic approaches to help in treatment of HCV patients applying immunological manipulations that suppress Th2 immune activity and stimulate Th1 immune response which is needed to control this type of infection. These possible new strategies for immunotherapy may help HCV patients for viral clearance or at least may allow better control of the infectious process