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Abstract
HCV is a major public health problem in Egypt and angiogenesis
plays a pathogenic role in HCV-induced liver damage. Much debate
was found about the relation between VEGF, the most potent
promoter of angiogenesis, and HCV.
This study aimed at evaluating VEGF isoforms 165 and 121 in
HCV infection. Patients were classified into 4 groups (group A= CHC
with PNALT, group B= CHC with elevated ALT, group C =
established cirrhosis and group D= patients with HCC) to cover HCV-
induced hepatic disease spectrum. The selected patients were
evaluated clinically, biochemically, virologically, sonographically and
histopathologically. On the other hand, VEGF isoforms were studied
in both serum and liver tissue.
HCV prevalence in this study shows predominance among males
(male: female is 2.23: 1) and in rural residence (rural: urban is
1.94:1). Two thirds of the studied patients were accidentally
discovered to have HCV infection, most of them (80%) belonged to
group A. Fatigue was the commonest clinical manifestation,
particularly, in group C. Skin manifestations were reported in 11%.
Surgery was the commonest riskl factor of HCV infection (56.3%)
followed by PAT and 12.7% showed no identifiable risk factor.