Alcoholic intake predisposes to more interface hepatitis in chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C depends on several factors related to the host, virus and the environment which deserves further investigations. 120 candidates for blood donation with hepatitis C virus were divided into three groups according to alcohol intake: abstainers41, light drinkers36 and heavy drinkers43. Liver histopathology alterations, namely architectural staging, periportal and lobular inflammation as well as portal inflammatory infiltrate were graded from 0 to 4 and afterwards divided into light (0 to 2) and severe (3 to 4). There were more drinkers among men (83.5%) than among women (41.5%). Regarding the three groups, mild periportal inflammation was significantly related with abstainers and light drinkers groups whereas severe periportal inflammation was more predominant in heavy drinkers (p = 0.033). When we compared mild with severe histopathological alterations older age was significantly (p = 0.004) associated with severe fibrosis, periportal inflammation and portal inflammatory infiltrate. In relation to enzyme levels a significant difference in fibrosis and lobular activity was found for ALT, AST and GGT. Only AST was a marker of greater portal inflammatory infiltrate. Additionally, platelets were significantly lower in severe fibrosis and in periportal inflammation. Logistic regression analysis identified AST and platelets as independent predictors for severe fibrosis. In conclusion, a correlation was found between alcohol consumption and periportal inflammation. Fibrosis correlated with age, high enzymes levels and low platelets. AST and platelets were the best predictors for severe fibrosis.

Keywords

• Hepatitis C virus
• fibrosis
• platelets
• ethanol ingestion
• blood donors