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Assessment of the Frequency of Autoantibodies in Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Akif Acay1, Kasim Demir2, Gulsah Asik3

  • 1Akif Acay, Department of Internal Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences
|April 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Patients with chronic hepatitis C show a higher frequency of auto-antibodies. Pre-treatment screening for auto-antibodies in chronic hepatitis B or C may predict future autoimmune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global health concerns.
  • Autoimmune diseases can coexist with or be triggered by chronic viral infections.
  • Understanding the interplay between viral hepatitis and autoimmunity is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of auto-antibodies in patients with chronic HBV and HCV infections.
  • To compare auto-antibody frequencies between HBV, HCV, and healthy control groups.
  • To assess the potential for auto-antibody screening to predict autoimmune responses.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 67 HBV patients, 77 HCV patients, and 48 healthy controls.
  • Comprehensive serological testing for a panel of auto-antibodies including ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-LKM, anti-SMA, AMA, C-ANCA, P-ANCA, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-Scl-70, anti Jo-1, anti-U1snRNP, anti-centromere, anti-tpo, and anti-tg.
  • Diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B and C confirmed by established virological and biochemical markers, ultrasound, and liver biopsy.

Main Results:

  • Antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity was significantly higher in the HBV (12%) and HCV (19%) groups compared to controls (4%) (P=0.04).
  • Anti-thyroidglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies were significantly more frequent in the HCV group (7%) compared to HBV (1%) and controls (1%) (P=0.04).
  • No significant differences were observed in the frequency of other tested auto-antibodies between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • An elevated frequency of auto-antibodies is present in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, even in those treatment-naive.
  • Hepatitis C infection is associated with a statistically significant increase in auto-antibody occurrence.
  • Pre-treatment auto-antibody assessment in newly diagnosed chronic hepatitis B or C patients may offer valuable insights into future autoimmune risks.
Abstract

Keywords:
AutoantibodiesAutoimmune diseasesChronic hepatitis BChronic hepatitis C

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