Complement activation correlates with liver necrosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

Abstract Chronic hepatitis C viral infection modulates complement. The aim of this study was to determine whether complement analysis predicts liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. 50 chronic hepatitis C patients who underwent a liver biopsy were compared to 50 healthy controls and 35 patients with various liver diseases. Total plasma complement activity (CH50) in plasma was diminished in hepatitis C patients suggesting complement activation. This decrease correlated with increased necrosis (r = − 0.24, p  We conclude that complement-induced liver inflammation contributes to fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.