Medical Academy, Institute of Clinical Immunology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
Children with chronic virus hepatitis B and C, as well as combined chronic virus hepatitis B+C, were found to have a higher level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in their serum than healthy children. Complete clinical and virological response to treatment with interferon-α is accompanied by a decreased inflammation and fibrosis of the liver, as well as by a decreased level of TNF-α, in comparison with nonresponsive patients. Positive correlation between the level of TNF-α and the degree of liver fibrosis in sick children was noted.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2002, No. 2, P. 69—72