Clinical Significance of Intrahepatic HCV RNA Level in Chronic HCV Infection / 대한간학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was carried out to identify the correlation between the serum HCV RNA and the liver HCV RNA level in chronic hepatitis C patients and to evaluate the differences of biochemistry, histology, HCV genotype and their response to antiviral therapy according to intrahepatic HCV RNA levels. METHODS: For thirty-six chronic hepatitis C patients (MF=2214, CHLC=279), percutaneous liver biopsy was performed, and serum and liver HCV RNA level were measured. Seventeen patients were treated with IFN-alpha and ribavirin. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between intrahepatic and serum HCV RNA levels (intrahepatic HCV RNA 1.9+/-3.1x10(7) copies/g vs. serum HCV RNA 3.2+/-3.2x10(6) copies/mL)(r=0.538, P<0.01). Total histological activity score (r=0.346, P=0.04) and periportal inflammation (r=0.398, P=0.01) were correlated with intrahepatic HCV RNA level. However, serum HCV RNA level was not correlated with histological activity. Serum ALT was not correlated with intrahepatic HCV RNA level. Intrahepatic HCV RNA level was higher in genotype 1 than genotype 2 or 3 (P=0.07). Intrahepatic HCV RNA level was not correlated with response to anti-viral therapy. CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic HCV RNA level was correlated with serum HCV RNA level and periportal inflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis C. It seems that intrahepatic HCV RNA level is more closely related to histological features than serum HCV RNA level.