title: Serum BLyS/BAFF predicts the outcome of acute hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: B-lymphocyte stimulator/B activating factor (BLyS/BAFF) is a tumour necrosis factor-family cytokine that plays a key role in generating and maintaining the mature B-cell pool. BLyS/BAFF expression by macrophages is stimulated by interferon-gamma and interleukin-10, and its serum levels are increased in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The aim of this study was to assess serum levels of BLyS/BAFF in patients with acute hepatitis C (AHC) and correlate them with disease outcome. We studied 28 patients with AHC (14 males, mean age 59.3 +/- 15 years), followed for at least 7 months since onset, comparing them with 86 CHC patients and 25 healthy blood donors (HBD). BLyS/BAFF levels were assessed at baseline (within 4 weeks of onset) and during follow-up. BLyS/BAFF median levels were significantly higher in AHC (1485 pg/mL) than in CHC (1058 pg/mL) and in HBD (980 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). BLyS/BAFF levels were higher in AHC patients evolving to chronicity (1980 pg/mL) than in those with a self-limited course (1200 pg/mL), (P = 0.02). By logistic regression analysis, higher BLyS/BAFF levels were independently associated with persistence of HCV infection (OR 29.7; 95% CI: 1.73-508.20). High serum levels of BLyS/BAFF at onset of AHC can predict its evolution to chronic infection.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra e Unità Operativa di Gastroenterologia, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. giutar@alice.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tarantino
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petta
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Almasio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbaria
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Bosco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tripodo
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stefano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Craxì
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D015415:Biomarkers; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human