Oscar Ferraù

HCV infection, hepatic HLA display and composition of the mononuclear cell inflammatory infiltrate in chronic alcoholic liver disease

Abstract. Viral infection may play a role in alcoholic liver disease with histological features of chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) hepatocellular display is supposed to allow HLA‐restricted T‐lymphocyte cytotoxicity in chronic viral hepatitis.

Soluble CD30 serum levels before and after treatment with α-interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract It has been suggested that soluble CD30 (sCD30) serum levels in chronic hepatitis C are correlated with the activity of the disease and with the outcome of interferon (IFN) treatment. In this study, sCD30 serum levels in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C, before and after treatment with IFN-2α, were measured. A total of 20 healthy subjects were used as controls. High sCD30 levels in serum were found in 36% of patients and in 5% of controls. In patients with sCD30 levels above or within the normal range, no significant differences in age, gender, serum transaminases and histology activity index were found. In relation to IFN treatment, only responder patients had serum sCD30 higher than controls, although the difference between responders and non-responders was not significant. No changes from baseline values were observed after treatment. Although high, sCD30 serum levels in chronic hepatitis C are not correlated with the disease activity, are not affected by IFN treatment and are not predictors of response to IFN treatment.