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Non-histological assessment of liver fibrosis in HCV infection.

Abstract
This study found a correlation between some serum markers [AST/ALT ratio, level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), level of viraemia and HCV serotype] and severity of liver fibrosis in HCV-infected patients. The study included 72 human cases referred to the Early Cancer Detection Unit, for liver biopsy assessment. The severity of liver fibrosis was staged using the METAVIR scoring system into 4 stages. The level of viraemia did not differ significantly in the different stages of liver fibrosis. Also, the type of HCV had no effect on the severity of liver fibrosis. However, the transaminases ratio differed significantly in the different fibrosis stages (P < 0.01). This serum test has a relatively high sensitivity and specificity (92.6% and 94.3%, respectively) in diagnosing severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. The level of MMP9 was, however, inversely correlated with the fibrosis stages and was found to have an 88.9% sensitivity and an 88.6% specificity when diagnosing severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. Although, the sensitivity of these serum markers did not reach 100%, yet their use can reduce the number of liver biopsies when diagnosing and treating HCV-infected patients.
AuthorsAmal M Mangoud, Samia M Sanad, Ahmed Hendawy, Gaber el-Hady, Gehad T el-Sherbiny
JournalJournal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology (J Egypt Soc Parasitol) Vol. 34 Issue 2 Pg. 383-95 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 1110-0583 [Print] Egypt
PMID15287165 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • RNA, Viral
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
Topics
  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase (blood)
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases (blood)
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus (growth & development)
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic (enzymology, pathology, virology)
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis (enzymology, pathology, virology)
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (blood)
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral (chemistry, genetics)
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Viremia

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