Association of circulating CD8(+) lymphocytes to a spontaneous and interferon-alpha induced clearance of HCV.
The amount of copies of HCV-RNA and count of CD8(+) lymphocytes was retrospectively evaluated in 326 patients: sampling was performed in basal condition, during treatment with alpha-IFN (n=232) and post-treatment follow-up, and at the same time points in untreated patients (n=94). In the treated group the difference between CD8(+) lymphocytes in the patients successfully treated (n=65) and those with an unfavourable outcome (n=176) is statistically significant (898+/-172 vs., 440+/-176 CD8(+) lymphocytes per mm(3) P<0.005 ANOVA). Also, in the untreated patients the average count of CD8(+) cells is statistically higher in patients with a favourable outcome (P<0.01 ANOVA). The present data show that the count of CD8(+) lymphocyte is of clinical value in order to predict the outcome of HCV infection and may be used together with the viral load and genotype, already established predictors.
Bacosi
M
M
Department of Clinical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, Università La Sapienza, Clinica Medica 2, Policlinico Umberto 1, 00161, Rome, Italy
De Angelis
A
A
Ursitti
A
A
Miglioresi
L
L
Russo
F
F
D'Innocenzo
S
S
Ricci
G L.
GL