Complement C3 levels in chronic hepatitis C patients from India

Abstract

Background and Aims: Complement is a collective term applied to a group of serum proteins which participate in antigen antibody reactions leading to irreversible cell damage and eventually lysis. The serum concentration of the third component of complement, C3, closely reflects the total complement activity. Individuals affected by homozygous C3 deficiency suffer from recurrent pyogenic infections such as pneumonia, septicemia, otitis media, and meningitis, and the absence of C3 is frequently lethal. This study aims to find out if there is any relation between chronic hepatitis C infection and levels of C3 in serum. Methods: The study included 132 chronic hepatitis C patients diagnosed as per American Association for Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) practice guidelines. Control groups comprised of 81 healthy blood donors who did not have any history of liver disorders. C3 levels in serum were determined utilizing commercially available kit. Results: Out of 132 chronic hepatitis C patients included, 81 were males and 51 were females with mean age± S.D. of 35.11±11.40. C3 level of the healthy group was 88.5±25.3 mg/dl whereas the C3 level of the chronic hepatitis C group was 56±18 mg/dl and was statistically significant (P <0.0005) indicating that in HCV infection there is lowering of complement system C3 components. Conclusion: The significant difference between the chronic hepatitis C patient and healthy control C3 level indicates need for including it as one of the factors that should be monitored during chronic hepatitis C infection and treatment.