title: Increased liver mast cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate the mast cell (MC) concentration in the liver tissue of patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C and to determine whether there was a correlation with clinical and pathological characteristics of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on liver biopsy samples from 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from follow-up records. Stained liver biopsies were examined. Immunohistochemical staining was performed by using an anti-c-kit antibody. Patients were divided into four groups (minimal, mild, moderate, and severe) based on the intensity of inflammation and their hepatic activity index scores and into two groups (no-mild, moderate-severe) according to fibrosis grade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among patients enrolled, 60.0% (n=36) were men with a mean age of 48.3 ± 12.7 (range 18-64) years. The mean number of mast cells per portal area in the liver was 0.87 ± 0.86 (0-4.0). No correlation was found between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Ribonucleic acid ( RNA ) levels and the degree of inflammation of cases with number of mast cells and liver steatosis (P>0.05). As the degree of fibrosis increased in the liver so did the number of mast cells in portal areas (P=0.001). On the other hand, no correlation was found between the degree of fibrosis and the number of MCs in the sinusoids and steatosis (P<0.05). The increase in the number of MCs in the portal areas correlated with an increase in liver steatosis (t: 0.02, P=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In light of these findings, it appears possible that MC accumulation in chronic HCV patients may be used as an indicator of fibrosis and possibly be considered in the follow-up of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Harran University, Medical Faculty, Sanliurfa, Turkey. suda_tekinkoruk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Suda Tekin
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Koruk
authors.forename: Ilyas
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ozardali
authors.forename: Dilnur
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dincoglu
authors.forename: Muharrem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bitiren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult