Light chain antigenic determinants (κ and γ) influence on the treatment outcome of chronic hepatitis C infection in Egypt

Background: HCV is an endemic problem in Egypt with genotype 4 affecting about 90% of the infected patients. The treatment with interferon and ribavirin is costly and has various side effects, so there is an urgent need for predictors of interferon response. Of the proved to predict the response is IL-28B genotype, but there are need for other predictors. Aim of the study: To detect GM 3/17, GM 23 +/- and KM 1/3; which are γ and κ immunoglobulin light chain antigenic determinants; in the patients with hepatitis C virus and to assess their influence on the outcome of chronic hepatitis C treatment. Results: There was a significant association between the KM 1/3 allotypes and the treatment outcome. KM homozygousity is associated with six fold increase in response to treatment. Conclusion: KM 1/3 genotypes can be used a marker for prediction of chronic HCV treatment outcome.