Cytokine profile during occult hepatitis B virus infection in chronic hepatitis C patients

Abstract

Background The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the leading causes of acute, chronic and occult hepatitis (OBI) representing a serious public health threat. Cytokines are known to be important chemical mediators that regulate the differentiation, proliferation and function of immune cells. Accumulating evidence indicate that the inadequate immune responses are responsible for HBV persistency. The aim of this study were to investigate the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17A in patients with OBI and verify if there is an association between the levels of these cytokines with the determination of clinical courses during HBV occult infection. Methods 114 patients with chronic hepatitis C were investigated through serological and molecular tests, the OBI coinfected patients were subjected to the test for cytokines using the commercial human CBA kit. As controls, ten healthy donors with no history of liver disease and 10 chronic HBV monoinfected patients of similar age to OBI patients were selected. Results Among 114 HCV patients investigated, 11 individuals had occult hepatitis B. The levels of cytokines were heterogeneous between the groups, most of the cytokines showed higher levels of production detection among OBI/HCV individuals when compared to control group and HBV monoinfected pacients. We found a high level of IL-17A in the HBV monoinfected group, high levels of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-2 in OBI/HCV patients. Conclusion These cytokines could be involved in the persistence of HBV DNA in hepatocytes triggers a constant immune response, inducing continuous liver inflammation, which can accelerate liver damage and favor the development of liver cirrhosis in other chronic liver diseases.

Morphological Changes in the Oral Mucous Membrane in Viral Hepatitis C Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…These findings were consistent with the existing literature; e.g., in their research, Ribeiro C.R.A. et al (2021) found high serum levels of IL-10, IL-4, IL-2 and TNF-α in HCV patients compared with controls [ 11 ].…”

“…The individuals diagnosed with HCV are highly prone to tooth decay as well as periodontal diseases, which can affect their dietary intake, leading to a poor quality of life [ 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. A meta-analysis [ 13 ] revealed increased gingival bleeding among patients with HCV compared to a non-HCV group.…”

“…The impaired immune system also leads to the development of oral cavity diseases among HCV patients [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. The diagnostic methods available to the dentist include immunological [ 40 ] and morphological studies, forming a group of morphological diagnostic methods [ 9 , 11 , 12 ]. In case of a discrepancy between the preliminary clinical diagnosis and the results of histopathological examination (the gold standard of oral mucosa lesion diagnostics) [ 41 ], along with classical histological research methods [ 42 ], modern methods of immunohistochemistry should be used [ 43 ].…”

Association of Serum 25(OH)D Deficiency with High Viral Load in HBV Infected Patients

“…Consistently, the chronic inactive HBV infection was not associated with increased IFN-γ and IFN-λ. 23,24 However, our study significantly correlated high levels of IFN-γ and granzyme B with increased viral load. Granzyme B is one of the NK cell weapons, which can mediate liver cell damage and increase HBV load.…”

Occult hepatitis B — the result of the host immune response interaction with different genomic expressions of the virus

“…Increased apoptosis may thus play a role in the occurrence of OBI[ 39 , 61 , 62 ]. A more recent study found that in patients with OBI and chronic HCV infections compared with monoinfected (HCV) patients and healthy donors, the levels of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2 were increased[ 63 ]. Vitamin D3 and vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulate several cytokines and are important determinants of anti-HBV response.…”