[Prevalence, clinical and therapeutical implications of active CMV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Infection with human cytomegaly virus (CMV) may lead to liver damage in immunocompromised individuals. Chronic hepatitis C is featured by impairment of innate and specific immunity as well apoptotic cell death. The aim of the study was to assess to frequency of CMV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The influence of CMV infection on parameters of full blood count and early virologic response to the treatment were evaluated. Materials and methods. One hundred twenty three patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in the study. Infection with CMV was diagnosed through the detection of CMV DNA in sera by means of RT-PCR method. The starters used in the study were specific for pp65 gene of CMV. Results. Active CMV replication was observed in 18/123 individuals (14.6%). Majority of them (16/18) have low level of CMV viraemia. There were no apparent correlations between HCV and CMV viral loads. Hemoglobin concentration, erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelet count, absolute neutrophil count and activity of alanine transaminase was similar in HCV and HCV/CMV-infected patients. Active CMV infection did not influence inflammatory activity and fibrosis in liver tissue. The early virologic response to anti-HCV therapy was independent of CMV infection. Conclusions. Active CMV infection affects over 14% of studied population of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Coinfection with CMV has not influence on the laboratory biochemical parameters and injury of liver tissue. Moreover, it does not affect the efficacy of anti-HCV treatment.