Background/aims: The pathophysiology of chronic hepatitis C and the mechanisms of resistance to interferon alpha are poorly understood. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of HCV infection and the viral genotype on lymphocyte production of 2',5' oligo-adenylate synthetase activity and monocyte production of TNF alpha and IL1 beta.
Methods: Mononuclear cells from 50 consecutive patients were studied after 6 months of interferon treatment.