Characteristics of the cytokine profile in patients with a new coronavirus infection with chronic hepatitis C

The aim was to assess individual cytokine profile parameters in patients with new coronavirus infection combined with chronic hepatitis C, depending on the severity of COVID-19 and liver fibrosis. Materials and Methods: A comparative study of laboratory and instrumental data of 147 patients with COVID-19 and CHC, comprising the first group; the second group consisted of 81 patients with COVID-19, and the third - of 94 patients with CHC. Patients in the first and second groups were divided into subgroups based on the severity of COVID-19, as well as the degree of liver fibrosis. Results: It was established that 73% of patients with a combination of COVID-19 and CHC during the peak of the new coronavirus infection had an increase in the levels of several cytokines compared to similar indicators in patients with CHC without COVID-19. In addition, the values of certain cytokines significantly differed from those of patients with COVID-19, regardless of the severity of the disease. It was also noted that in patients with a combination of COVID-19 and CHC with severe progression of the new coronavirus infection, the values of certain cytokines were higher than in patients with COVID-19 alone. Furthermore, in the group of patients with a combination of COVID-19 and CHC, an increase in the values of certain cytokines was observed as liver fibrosis progressed.