Antinuclear antibody positivity in patients with chronic hepatitis C: clinically relevant or an epiphenomenon?

• DOI: 10.1097/meg.0b013e3283089392
• Publication Date: 2009-05-21T12:11:17Z
• Authors: Janaína L. Narcis...; Fernanda Caruso F...; Marcelo Mendes Su...; Marcus Vinícius O...; Gustavo Quirino S...; Leonardo de Lucca...; Roberto J. de Car...; Maria Lucia G. Fe...; Antonio Eduardo B...
• Keywords: Hepatitis C; Clinical Significance; Epiphenomenon

Serum autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibody (ANA) are frequently detected in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but its relevance is a matter of discussion.To assess the association ANA positivity clinical and histological features, outcome antiviral therapy HCV infection.Baseline samples from treated interferon ribavirin were tested for by indirect immunofluorescence.The mean age was 48.3+/-11.1 years 56% men. Among 234 included patients, 22 (9.4%) positive ANA. These showed significantly higher median alanine aminotransferase level (3.52 vs. 2.39 x upper limit normal, P=0.009) when compared ANA-negative patients. Fibrosis stage necroinflammatory grading not influenced positivity. Sustained virological response (SVR) rates similar between ANA-positive (27 29%, P=0.882). Alanine flares (> or = 1.5-fold baseline) during treatment observed 28 (12%), irrespective presence without any significance.Among seems to represent an immunological epiphenomenon. It neither influences clinical, biochemical, features nor predicts treatment.