IL28B allelic variation but not polymorphism of CYP27B1 or genotype of HCV is associated with spontaneous elimination of HCV-infection

Introduction: IL28B rs12979860 CC-SNP is associated with elimination of HCV. Dependence of HCV-Genotype in spontaneously resolvers has not yet been thoroughly studied. Vitamin D has been supposed to influence HCV-replication and could also influence HCV-clearance. Methods: Association of IL28B rs12979860 in 50 individuals with spontaneous elimination of whom had 32 Serotype 1, 4 Serotype 1+3, 3 Serotype 2 and 11 Serotype 3 and of 8 HCV-genotype 1 and 4 HCV-genotype 3 individuals with acute HCV-infection and spontaneous elimination were studied. CYP27B1 rs10877012 polymorphism for outcome was analyzed. Markers of HAV/HBV were also determined for a influence of a viral co-infection. Cases and controls were compared with 126 chronic HCV-infected patients. Results: IL28B-SNP was associated with spontaneous elimination of HCV-infection (p=0.03). On the contrary neither Sero-/Genotype of HCV nor CYP27B1-SNP (p=ns) were significantly linked to virus elimination. Logistic regression analysis did not reveal a correlation between IL28B-SNP and HCV-genotype (CC + Genotype 1 vs. CT/TT + Genotype 1: 63% vs. 64%; p=ns). Interestingly, rates of simultaneous existence of C homozygotes of IL28B-SNP and A homozygotes of CYP27B1-SNP was significantly higher in spontaneous resolvers than in chronic HCV-infected patients (p=0.014). While 16% of spontaneously resolvers had acute HAV/HBV co-infection, only 1 patient with acute HCV-infection had also an acute HBV co-infection. Spontaneous resolvers differed significantly in source of infection (iv drug use: p<0.01) and HAV/HBV co-infection (p<0.001) and age (<40 years; p<0.001). Conclusion: 1. IL28B rs12979860 polymorphism is a good predictor and helps to identify patients with spontaneous elimination of HCV-infection independently of Sero-/Genotype of HCV.2. CYP27B1 rs10877012 allelic variation did not associated with spontaneous elimination.3. Co-infections with HAV/HBV however could also play a role in HCV elimination.