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BackgroundCXCR3-associated chemokines CXCL9–CXCL11 promote histologic progression in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, as indicated by elevated intrahepatic levels of messenger RNA in patients with advanced inflammation and fibrosis. We evaluated the potential of peripheral chemokine levels to discriminate among patients with chronic HCV infection who had different stages of fibrosis

MethodsPeripheral levels of CXCR3-associated chemokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of plasma samples obtained from 93 patients with chronic HCV infection. Of the subjects, 79 (85%) were white, and 68 (73%) were infected with HCV genotype 1

ResultsExpression of all 3 chemokines, when analyzed as a group, was significantly associated with intrahepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Plasma levels of CXCL10 were significantly elevated in patients …