Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II Alleles May Contribute to the Severity of Hepatitis C Virus–Related Liver Disease

Abstract

Whether the host’s immune response genes influence the severity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease is controversial. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles were analyzed in 233 HCV RNA-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis (197 patients with Knodell index of fibrosis F0–F3 and 36 patients with index of F4). The 2 groups did not differ by sex, duration of infection, mode of contamination, alcohol consumption, or HCV genotype. Patients with cirrhosis were older than those without (56±12 vs. 46±14 years; P50 years. HLA class II alleles may weakly contribute to the severity of HCV liver disease. Of persons infected with HCV, only 15%–20% spontaneously clear the virus, and the rest become chronically infected.