Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
The present study investigated the
association of the rs2794521 polymorphism in the CRP
gene in individuals with
chronic hepatitis B and C, correlating it with markers of hepatic
inflammation,
fibrosis scores,
viral load, and
plasma protein levels.
METHODS:
The study analyzed 185
blood samples obtained from
patients with
hepatitis B (n=74) and
hepatitis C (n=111) and 300 samples from healthy
donors. Genotyping was performed by
real-time polymerase chain reaction, and
protein levels were quantified using the automated immunoturbidimetric
method.
RESULTS:
The TT
genotype was the most frequent in all studied groups and was associated with higher
plasma levels of the
protein but not with the progression of
liver disease. Low levels of
C-reactive protein were associated with increased
viremia and scores indicative of severe
fibrosis and
cirrhosis.
CONCLUSIONS:
The present results demonstrated a close relationship between the
ability of the
virus to replicate and cause
liver damage and low
serum concentrations of
C-reactive protein.
Future research may determine if these results can be interpreted as a possible form of escape for the
virus by decreasing its action as an
opsonin and decreasing
phagocytosis, which are functions of
C-reactive protein in the
immune response.