[Cytokine assessment in untreated hepatitis C virus infected patients and during interferon alpha +ribavirine therapy].

UNLABELLED: Many articles concerning the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection emphasize the role of cytokines Th1- and Th2-dependent. The aim of our study was to assess the changes in the concentration of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10) determined by ELISA test in serum of HCV infected patients treated with interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirine.
RESULTS: The cytokine levels in HCV patients (n = 40) were similar to levels observed in healthy volunteers (p > 0.05). During IFN-alpha and ribavirine therapy no statistically significant changes in cytokine levels were observed in patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) compared to unsuccessfully treated patients (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: 1. Serum is not useful compartment to determinate level of cytokines by ELISA method in chronic hepatitis C. 2. The measurement of cytokine levels using ELISA test was not confirmed to be useful in monitoring and assessment of the therapy results in HCV infected patients.