Single-nucleotide polymorphism of Toll-like receptor 4 and interleukin-10 in response to interferon-based therapy in Egyptian chronic hepatitis C patients.

Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world. It has been suggested that not only the virus but also the interaction between the virus and the host immune system is important in determining the course of the infection and the response to interferon (IFN)-based therapy. While the adaptive immune system plays a critical role in HCV infection, the innate immune system has only been recognized recently.