The influence of gene-chronic hepatitis C virus infection on hepatic fibrosis and steatosis.

Host single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in different genes can play a role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and influence the presence of hepatic fibrosis and comorbidities such as hepatic steatosis. We assessed the combined effect of SNPs in the PNPLA3, MTTP, TM6SF2, and IFNL3/IFNL4 genes in 288 Brazilian patients who were chronically infected with HCV. Hepatic fibrosis was observed in 246 (85.4%) patients and hepatic steatosis in 141 (49.0%) patients. PNPLA3 rs738409 (CG/GG) (P = 0.044) and TM6SF2 rs58542926 (CT) (P = 0.004) were alone associated with fibrosis, and PNPLA3 rs738409 (P < 0.05, in distinct genetic models) was associated with steatosis. Multiple logistic regression of each SNP combined with HCV genotype 3 infection showed that MTTP rs1800591 (GT/TT) combined with HCV genotype 3 was associated with a 6.72-fold increased chance of hepatic steatosis (P = 0.013). In the analysis of SNPs combined 2 by 2, no influence on hepatic fibrosis or steatosis was observed.