DECREASE OF INTERFERON-GAMMA SERUM LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

Cytokines can play a crucial role in defending the organism from viral infections. One of these, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), possesses mar ked immunomodulating activity. As cell immunity seems to be involved i n chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), study of the events regulated by IF N-gamma may be useful in evaluating the host's immunological response. We studied 63 patients (36 males, 27 females) affected by chronic HCV and 28 (14 males, 14 females) healthy controls. IFN-gamma concentrati ons were significantly lower in the former, and were positively correl ated with the histological activity index, suggesting that low IFN-gam ma values play a part in determining chronicity. We believe they may b e an unfavorable factor and may be useful in detecting patients who ar e not capable of eradicating the virus.