Backgrounds and Aim: Patients with cirrhosis and ascites show a higher susceptibility
to bacterial infections,Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1(MCP-1) secretion is upregulated
during chronic hepatitis and correlates with the severity of hepatic
inflammation. We thought to confirm the association of the functional MCP-1 promoter
polymorphism (A-2518G) with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Methods: 50
patients with post-hepatitis C virus liver cirrhosis and ascites categorized into two
groups, group I: 25 patients with SBP, group II: 25 patients free from SBP, in addition
a group of 20 healthy volunteers were included. We assessed the MCP-1 gene
polymorphism in blood. Results: Significant MCP-1 gene polymorphism was detected
in group I & II (p-value=0.001 & 0.02 respectively), group I was significantly
associated with AG genotype, group II with GG genotype when compared to healthy
volunteers (p-value=0.002 & 0.001 respectively), and G allele was significantly higher
in both groups (I & II) (p-value 0.005 & 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: MCP-1 GG
genotype and G allele in HCV infected patients may be associated with more advanced
stage of the disease. AG genotype may increase the susceptibility to spontaneous
bacterial peritonitis.