Serum Mannan-Binding Lectin in Egyptian Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C: Its Relation to Disease Progression and Response to Treatment

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major worldwide public health problem. Egypt has the highest prevalence of adult HCV infection in the world, averaging 15%-25% in rural communities. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a liver-derived pluripotent serum lectin that plays a role in the innate immune system of the host. It is an acute-phase protein that is involved in the activation of the classical complement pathway. MBL may play a defensive role in HCV infection. OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between MBL concentration and HCV infection in Egyptian patients suffering chronic hepatitis C. PATIENTS AND METHODS Serum samples obtained from 35 Egyptian hepatitis C patients and 30 normal controls were assayed for MBL. MBL concentrations were correlated to disease characteristics and treatment response. RESULTS Serum MBL was significantly higher in HCV patients than in controls, but no relationship was found between MBL concentration and disease progression in terms of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation. Responders to interferon (INF)-based therapy had significantly higher serum MBL than non-responders. CONCLUSIONS We found no association between serum MBL concentration and progression of HCV related liver disease. Responders to INF-based therapy had significantly higher serum MBL than non-responders.