Autoimmune Neutropenia in Chronic Liver Disease Patients with Hepatitis C Virus at Suez Canal University Hospital

Document Type : Original Article

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1 Departments of Infectious and Endemic Diseases Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt

2 Departments of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) continues to be a public health problem in Egypt with data suggesting that its incidence may be increasing. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with a variety of extra-hepatic manifestations, including autoimmune disorders. Aim: To assess the prevalence of autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients with HCV. Patients and Methods: A case-control design was used to fulfill the study objective. It was conducted on 60 subjects, divided into 2 groups: group 1 (30 HCV-infected patients with low total leucocytic count [TLC] as a study group) and group 2 (30 HCV-infected patients with normal TLC as a control group). AIN was evaluated by granulocyte immuno-fluorescence test (GIFT) to detect auto-antibodies against neutrophils in HCV-infected patients presented with neutropenia. Results: The mean age of the first group was 49.9±11.6 years, while the mean age of the second group was 52.7±11.3 years. Male gender was found in 53.3% of the low TLC group compared to 63.3% in normal TLC group; Positive GIFT was found in 13.3% of study group; while none of the control group has positive GIFT. The significant variables among patients with low TLC included low ANC (OR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.5-16.5, low HB (OR: 7.0, 95% CI: 1.4-35.5), and low PLT count (OR: 15.5, 95% CI: 3.8-63.3). Conclusion:AIN is significantly higher among CHC patients with low TLC compared to normal TLC patients.
 

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