The significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serum titers (HCV viral load) has been examined in several clinical situations. There is much evidence that patients with a lower viral load have better response rates to anti-viral therapy compared to those with higher levels.
Moreover, a direct association has been observed between serum titers of HCV and transmission rates of the virus.
The aim of the present study was to determine if there was any correlation between HCV viral load and the severity of liver disease.
Fifty patients with HCV infection were included in the study. These comprised of 34 subjects with a history of alcohol use and 16 non-alcoholics.
Quantitative serum HCV RNA assay was carried out using the branched DNA (bDNA) technique. Linear regression analysis was performed between serum viral titers and liver tests.
In addition, for the purpose of comparison, the subjects were divided into two groups: those with low viral titers (<=50 genome mEq/mL) and high titers (>50 mEq/mL).
All subjects were men, with a mean+/-SD age of 47+/-7.8 years. The mean HCV RNA level in the blood was 76.3X10(5)+/-109.1 genome equivalents/mL.
There was no correlation between HCV RNA levels and age of the patients (r = 0.181), and the history or amount (g/d) of alcohol consumption (r = 0.07).
Furthermore, no correlation was observed between serum HCV RNA levels and the severity of liver disease as judged by the values of serum albumin (r = 0.175), bilirubin (r = 0.217), ALT (r = 0.06) and AST (r = 0.004) levels.