Serum levels of Interleukin-6 in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus and their correlation with biochemical liver markers

Aims: Estimation of serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and their correlation with hepatic biochemical parameters in chronic HCV-infected patients versus healthy controls.Methodology and results: Our study consisted of forty-four patients with chronic hepatitis C aged between 16 to 57 years plus 40 healthy controls aged 18-54.Samples were collected from various hospitals in Dohuk governorate.Biochemical liver function markers were assessed using traditional methods according to IFCC instructions.Serum concentrations of IL-6 were automatically evaluated using a Maglumi CLIA kit.HCV RNA were quantified using the fully automated GeneXpert system.Conclusion, significance and impact of study: A significant difference in IL-6 serum levels between HCV-infected patients and healthy controls, plus several significant correlations between this inflammatory cytokine and liver function markers in HCV-infected individuals were found.