Significance of Hereditary Hemochromatosis Gene (HFE) Mutations in Chronic Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in Egypt: A Pilot Study

Dawood, Reham M; Abd El Meguid, Mai; Elrobe, Walied; Salum, Ghada M; Zayed, Naglaa; Mousa, Sherief; Medhat, Eman

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.9.2837

Significance of Hereditary Hemochromatosis Gene (HFE) Mutations in Chronic Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in Egypt: A Pilot Study

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering Division, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

² Department of Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.9.2837

Abstract

Background: Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disease defined by enhanced overloading of iron and associated with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC). This study aims to evaluate the correlation of the HFE gene mutations on Egyptian CHC with liver disease progression and the risk of HCC development. Methods: The HFE mutations (C282Y and H63D) were genotyped on 100 CHC patients and 50 healthy individuals by a hybridization assay. The serum iron content was also measured for all subjects. Results: A significant elevation of the serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC in HCV-infected patients (p≤0.05). The H63D mutation was detected in 23% of the all studied samples. The serum iron and the H63D heterozygosity were correlated significantly between non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic without HCC patients. Conclusion: The H63D heterozygosity might have a potential role in iron accumulation. Moreover, HFE mutations did not tend to be associated with an increased risk of HCC in cirrhotic patients.

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