Intestinal microbiota in chronic hepatitis C: Differences in microbial communities in patients with and without liver cirrhosis

infection (n = 18). Here, a spontaneous clearance of the virus was associated with lower levels of ICAM-1, SCGF-b and VCAM-1 in the serum as compared to patients who did not achieve a sustained spontaneous viral clearance. Furthermore, serum ALT levels or viral load did not correlate with cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the sustained spontaneous viral clearance of acute HCV infection could be reliably predicted by concordantly decreased levels of the serum cytokines and chemokines ICAM-1, SCGF-b and VCAM-1. These parameters might be helpful for the decision whether antiviral treatment of acute HCV infection is required.