Autoimmune endocrine disorders are considered one of the extrahepatic manifestations of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV could trigger cytokines release due to local inflammation. Interleukin 17 a (IL17a) and Interferon gamma (IFNγ) play an important role in pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Herein, we tried to assess the serum levels of IL17a and IFN-gamma in cirrhotic HCV infected patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Serum samples were collected from 183 cirrhotic HCV infected patients. Sera were screened for antinuclear antibody (ANA) by ELISA and those who were positive for ANA (n=40) were screened for Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies by indirect Immunofluorescence. | Circulating IL17a and ifn-gamma serum levels in cirrhotic hepatitis C virus infected patients with autoimmune thyroiditis
