Circulating solube vascular cell adhesion molecule-1[SVCAM-1] concentration in patients with chronic active hepatitis [C] with and without bilharziasis

ABSTRACT

The Serum levels of circulating Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 [SVCAM] were estimated by technique in sixty patients with chronic active hepatitis type C infection with [Group A] and without Bilharziasis [Group B], in addition, twenty apparently healthy subjects as a control group [Group C]. The mean SVCAM-1 levels pg/ml were markedly elevated in sera of diseased groups compared to control group [Group C] P<0.01]. Moreover, the mean sera levels of SVCAM-1 were increased [P<0.05] in active bilharziasis [Group B1] compared to inactive bilharziasis [Group B2]. There was a higher proportion of patients with CAH post C with or without Bilharziasis at least grade 3 inflamations on liver biopsy who had serum SVCAM-1 levels above this mean level [P<0.01]. These results might help understanding of the pathophysiology of CAH type C with and without Bilharziasis and this parameter may be helpful as an immunological marker of HCV liver disease reflecting ongoing immune-mediated pathology