Soluble CD30 serum level in HCV-positive chronic active hepatitis: A surrogate marker of disease activity?

In the present study, high levels of CD30s, a glycoprotein preferentially e xpressed and released by T lymphocytes producing Th-2-type cytokines, were seen in the sera of patients with chronic hepatitis C, and a correlation wi th histological activity of the disease was found. CD30s levels were assaye d in the sera of 29 HCV RNA-positive patients with histologically proven ch ronic active hepatitis and in 30 healthy blood donors, Thirteen of 29 (45%) HCV patients had CD30s serum levels above the normal range (>20 U/ml), Mea n CD30s serum levels were significantly higher in HCV patients than in cont rols (P<0.0005). A positive correlation was found between serum CD30s level s and both the histological activity index (r=0.59, P=0.001) and ALT serum levels (r=0.5; P=0.006). The raised CD30s level found in more severe HCV li ver disease indirectly suggests activation and expansion of Th-2 cells. CD3 0s levels could represent a useful surrogate marker of activity in chronic HCV infections. (C) 2000 Academic Press.