title: Role of genetic polymorphisms in hepatitis C virus chronic infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the host genetics factors influencing the clinical course and the response to antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an electronic search on the PubMed and MEDLINE (2000-2014) databases and Cochrane library (2000-2014). A total of 73 articles were retrieved and their data were extensively evaluated and discussed by the authors and then analyzed in this review article.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several studies associated polymorphisms in the interleukin 28B gene on chromosome 19 (19q13.13) with a spontaneous viral clearance in acute hepatitis C and with the response to pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN)-based treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients. Other investigations demonstrated that inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase genetic variants protect hepatitis C virus-genotype-1 CHC patients from ribavirin-induced anemia, and other studies that a polymorphism in the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 was associated with hepatic steatosis in CHC patients. Although not conclusive, some investigations suggested that the vitamin D-associated polymorphisms play an important role in the achievement of sustained virologic response in CHC patients treated with Peg-IFN-based antiviral therapy. Several other polymorphisms have been investigated to ascertain their possible impact on the natural history and on the response to treatment in patients with CHC, but the data are preliminary and warrant confirmation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several genetic polymorphisms seem to influence the clinical course and the response to antiviral treatment in patients with CHC, suggesting individualized follow up and treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Nicola Coppola, Mariantonietta Pisaturo, Lorenzo Onorato, Evangelista Sagnelli, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.affiliation: Nicola Coppola, Mariantonietta Pisaturo, Lorenzo Onorato, Evangelista Sagnelli, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariantonietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pisaturo
authors.affiliation: Nicola Coppola, Mariantonietta Pisaturo, Lorenzo Onorato, Evangelista Sagnelli, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sagnelli
authors.affiliation: Nicola Coppola, Mariantonietta Pisaturo, Lorenzo Onorato, Evangelista Sagnelli, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Onorato
authors.affiliation: Nicola Coppola, Mariantonietta Pisaturo, Lorenzo Onorato, Evangelista Sagnelli, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Evangelista
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sagnelli
keywords: Hepatitis C virus infection; Inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase; Interleukin 28B; Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3; Single nucleotide polymorphism