Novel biomarkers assist in detection of liver fibrosis in HCV patients

Abstract

Background: Accurate staging in individuals infected with hepatitis C is imperative to understand their long-term risk for liver-related complications. Liver biopsy has a traditional role to determine the levels of liver fibrosis specifically in hepatitis C virus patients. However, the development of non-invasive options has reduced the utilization of biopsy in this population. Main body of the abstract: Detecting fibrosis levels through blood samples is already an acceptable alternative to biopsy; however, the optimal non-invasive panel has yet to be defined. Our study indicated hyaluronic acid, collagen oligomeric matrix protein, collagen type IV, and liver fibrosis scoring systems to distinguish fibrosis patients from the non-fibrosis group. Short conclusion: The combination of these novel biomarkers, H. A, CO-IV, and Comp tests, could be used to accurately stage individuals with hepatitis C.