Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered the most common etiology of chronic liver disease in Egypt, which may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies have documented an association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and HCV. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) seropositivity in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the effect of this co-infection on response to interferon-α and ribavirin therapy. Methods: The presence of H. pylori was tested using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay in serum samples from 49 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Clinical features, HCV markers and response of HCV to interferon-α and ribavirin therapy were compared between H. pylori seropositivity and H. pylori seronegativity patients. Results: H.pylori antigen was detected in 24(49.0%) of 50 HCV patients. There was no association between H. pylori seropositivity in the liver and age, gender of patients, liver function tests, AFP levels or viral load. The sustained response rate for HCV clearance following interferon-α and ribavirin treatment did not differ between patients with and without anti-H. pylori seropositivity. Conclusion: No correlation between coexistent H.Pylori infection and clinical course of Hepatitis C Virus and suggest an association between this bacterium and progression of liver fibrosis.
Keywords:Helicobacter pylori, Hepatitis C virus, Interferon, Ribavirin