Liver steatosis in chronic hepatitis C: A morphological sign suggesting infection with HCV genotype 3

L. Rubbia-Brandt, G. Leandro, L. Spahr, E. Giostra, R. Quadri, P. J. Malé, F. Negro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aims: To identify factors associated with liver steatosis in chronic hepatitis C. Methods and results: Occurrence and severity of liver steatosis in 254 chronic hepatitis C patients were compared with presence of alcohol abuse, body mass index (BMI) > 26, history of intravenous drug addiction and hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype. Steatosis was found in 109 (43%) patients. The occurrence of steatosis was significantly associated with ongoing alcohol abuse (P = 0.03) or HCV genotype 3 (P = 0.003), but not with BMI > 26. A moderate to severe steatosis was present in 60% of patients infected with HCV genotype 3, irrespective of the presence of alcohol abuse, BMI > 26 or history of intravenous drug addiction. Using a multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis, infection with genotype 3 had an odds ratio (OR) of 10 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.56-22) for a liver steatosis, whereas the presence of a cirrhosis at histology had an OR = 0.256 (95% CI = 0.07-0.92). Conclusions: A moderate to severe degree of steatosis of the liver is a morphological sign suggestive of infection with HCV genotype 3, independent of other risk factors of a fatty liver, but it may disappear at late stages of the disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)119-124
Number of pages6
JournalHistopathology
Volume39
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords

  • HCV genotypes
  • Liver steatosis
  • Viral cytopathic effect
  • Viral pathogenesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology
  • Anatomy
  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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