Published online May 18, 2015. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i8.1074
Peer-review started: September 28, 2014
First decision: December 17, 2014
Revised: January 16, 2015
Accepted: February 4, 2015
Article in press: February 9, 2015
Published online: May 18, 2015
Processing time: 235 Days and 8 Hours
Non-organ-specific autoantibodies and thyroid autoantibodies have been frequently found in chronic carriers of hepatitis C virus (HCV). With respect to endomysial antibodies and tissue transglutaminase, it is controversial whether the prevalence of gluten-related seromarkers is higher in patients with HCV. In such cases, in addition to acknowledging any currently existing autoimmune disease, recognizing the risk of the patient developing an autoimmune disease during interferon (IFN)-based treatment must be a principle concern. From a clinical point-of-view, the presence of autoantibodies arouses suspicion that an autoimmune disease may be present or may be precipitated by IFN-based HCV treatment. In this paper, we review the prevalence of autoantibodies in individuals with hepatitis C, the clinical significance of these autoantibodies, and the approach recommended for such situations.
Core tip: We review the prevalence of Non-organ-specific autoantibodies, thyroid autoantibodies, and gluten-related seromarkers and their significance in predicting autoimmune diseases in individuals with hepatitis C. Autoantibodies’ importance for treatment choice and possible complications due to their presence during interferon-based treatment are appraised.