الفهرس 
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Abstract
Background and Aim: chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a huge problem both globally and at the level of the individual patient. The natural outcome and response to treatment in hepatitis C virus infection varies between individuals. We aimed to determine the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic hepatitis C. In addition, we evaluated associations of vitamin D (Vit D) serum levels as well as polymorphism within gene encoding 1α-hydroxylase with the virologic response of interferon-Alfa based treatment in patients chronically infected with HCV in Egypt.
Subject and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 103 patients who are suffering from chronic hepatitis C disease and prepared for interferon treatment. Also 30 blood samples from controls were taken.
The following were done: history taking, general examination, liver function tests, hepatitis markers, HCV quantitation by real time PCR, DNA extraction from whole blood, PCR for gene amplification, agarose gel electrophoresis and quantitation of serum level of vitamin D by ELISA.
Results: there is significant differences in the Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency between responders and non responders to interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis C patients (P=0.003). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression showed that Vit D (P = 0.002) and CYP27B1-1260 (P = 0.009) were found to be significant predictors for response to interferon therapy of hepatitis C patients. There is significant difference in the Vit D level and 1α- hydroxylase promoter polymorphism CYP27B1-1260 in chronic HCV patients (AA, CA, CC) (p=0.000). Also there is significant difference in the Vit D level and 1α- hydroxylase promoter polymorphism CYP27B1-1260 in the healthy control group (AA, CA, CC) (P=0.000).
Conclusion: Serum levels of Vitamin D and1α- hydroxylase promoter polymorphism CYP27B1-1260 are significant predictors for response to interferon therapy of hepatitis C patients.