Abstract
Background: Hepatitis c infection are an Increasing problem in Egypt. Bacterial translocation is defined as the migration of live microorganisms or bacterial endotoxins from the intestinal lumen to the mesenteric lymph nodes and extraintestinal sites. The aim was to measure bacterial translocation markers namely bacterial DNA and endotoxin in HCV status and cirrhotic patients with correlation of the presence of bacterial markers of translocation and the viral status. Methods: This study was conducted on 81 inpatients clinically suffering from liver cirrhosis. Patients were divided into three groups each group included 27 patients. First group patients with hepatitis c virus infection causing liver cirrhosis particulary child A and B groups. The second group included patients with HCV infection who treated with direct antiviral agents (DAA).The last group included patients with compensated liver cirrhosis with negative viral markers. All patients were subjected to laboratory investigations included: Hepatitis markers, CBC, Liver function tests, Kidney function tests. Bacterial DNA and Bacterial Endotoxin Results: 67.9% of cases were positive DNA for bacterial translocation. Endotoxin level and DNA results showed significant difference between the three groups as active hepatitis c had highest level of serum endotoxin and all were positive DNA. There was statistically significant difference between DNA positive and DNA negative patients with positive patients had higher median serum endotoxin level 43 Vs 2 in negative patients. Conclusion: Bacterial translocation markers (bacterial DNA and endotoxin) are high in cirrhotic and hepatitis c virus infected patients.
Key words: bacterial translocation- bacterial DNA- endotoxin- Hepatitis c-cirrhosis.