Abstract
Total serum IgG level is a surrogate marker of hepatitis C (HC) severity. Antibodies (Abs) to microbial glycans could be markers of HC severity caused by the translocation of microbial products. The level of anti-glycan (AG) Abs was analysed in serum samples of patients (n = 128) with chronic HC in ELISA using fourteen synthetic glycans present in microbes and adhesins to evaluate the association of Abs with clinical parameters and the efficacy of antiviral treatment. The anti-GlcNAcβ IgG level was significantly higher in patients with fibrosis (P = 0.021) and severe portal inflammation (P < 0.001) regardless of other clinical parameters. The ROC curve analysis showed sensitivity of 0.59, specificity of 0.84, and AUC of 0.71 in discriminating F0 from F1–4 (HCV genotype-1b-infected patients). The level of anti-GA2 Abs before Peg-IFN/RBV treatment was significantly higher in nonsustained viral response (non-SVR) to treatment than in SVR (P = 0.033). ROC analysis showed sensitivity of 0.62, specificity of 0.70, and AUC of 64. Correlations of AG Abs to clinical parameters were found. The quantification of anti-GlcNAcβ Abs deserves attention in assessment of the hepatic damage while anti-GA2 Abs may be a sign of immune response related to the antiviral treatment.
Highlights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health issue
It was established that there were significant differences in the level of anti-GlcNAcβ IgG between (1) patients with fibrosis and those without fibrosis and (2) patients with severe portal inflammation and those having scores S0–2 examined in stages F0–2 or F0–4
The immunoassay using GlcNAcβPG showed a good reproducibility, and in combination with other routine clinical parameters, it may be a useful supplement for the assessment of hepatic damage
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health issue. More than 185 million people worldwide are chronically infected with HCV [1]. The reduction of morbidity and mortality from HC and improving the quality of life of patients with the disease are major challenges in social, economic, and health care programs. The prediction of clinical outcome and selection of an adequate therapy for HC are vital for the management of patients with chronic liver disease. Most HCV infections can evolve into a chronic phase, which may eventually lead to cirrhosis. The modern diagnostics of HC is reliable and is based on the presence of anti-HCV Abs in the sera of patients and the detection of serum HCV RNA (viral load). Viral load is a significant parameter in monitoring the response to antiviral treatment
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