Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes, human leucocyte antigen expression and monoclonal gammopathy prevalence during chronic HCV infection

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Immunology
• Oncology

Background:

• Chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, affects liver function.
• Monoclonal gammopathies (MG) are conditions involving abnormal proteins produced by plasma cells.
• The interplay between chronic liver disease, viral infections, and MG requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies (MG) in patients with chronic liver dysfunction.
• To explore potential correlations between MG and patient factors such as age, hepatic injury, HCV genotype, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression.

Main Methods:

• Enrolled 530 patients with chronic HCV infection and 294 with other chronic liver diseases.
• Detected monoclonal bands using specific laboratory tests.
• Analyzed associations between MG presence and clinical parameters, viral genotypes, and HLA types.

Main Results:

• A monoclonal band was detected in 61 HCV-positive patients and nine HCV-negative subjects.
• MG prevalence correlated with advanced age and the degree of hepatic injury.
• HCV genotype 2a was more prevalent in HCV-positive patients with MG. Specific HLA associations were observed in MG-positive HCV-positive subjects.

Conclusions:

• Monoclonal gammopathies occur in a subset of patients with chronic liver dysfunction, particularly those with HCV infection.
• Advanced age, hepatic injury, specific HCV genotypes (2a), and certain HLA haplotypes (e.g., DR15) may be associated with MG development in HCV patients.