[THE CLINICAL COURSE OF HEPATITIS C IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT VARIANTS OF THE GENE POLYMORPHISM IL28B]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Genetics
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) affects children, with treatment outcomes influenced by genetic factors.
• Interleukin-28B (IL-28B) gene polymorphisms are implicated in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
• Understanding genetic predictors is crucial for effective pediatric HCV management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between IL-28B gene polymorphisms and the clinical course of CHC in children.
• To identify potential genetic markers for predicting antiviral therapy response in pediatric HCV patients.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 94 children (ages 3-17) with CHC was studied.
• Genotyping for IL-28B gene polymorphisms (rs12979860 C>T and rs8099917 T>G) was performed.
• Allele frequencies were compared between CHC patients and a healthy population.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in allele frequencies of the IL-28B rs12979860 C>T polymorphism were observed in children with CHC compared to the general population.
• The T allele at rs12979860 was found at a higher incidence in children with CHC, suggesting it as a predictor of ineffective antiviral therapy.
• No significant differences in allele distribution were found for the IL-28B rs8099917 T>G polymorphism between CHC patients and healthy children.

Conclusions:

• The IL-28B rs12979860 C>T polymorphism may serve as a predictive marker for antiviral therapy outcomes in pediatric CHC.
• Genetic testing for IL-28B variants can inform personalized HCV treatment strategies in children.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the full impact of IL-28B genetics on pediatric HCV management.