Relation between chronic hepatitis C infection and different radiological patterns of interstitial lung disease

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most important infectious agents in Egypt. Studies have explored the relation between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and interstitial lung disease (ILD), though it is still unclear if there is a role of viral load or not. Objectives To clarify the association between CHC infection and different interstitial patterns of lung affection in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Patients and methods This observational prospective study included 50 patients with ILD from the outpatient clinic of Fayoum Chest Hospital. All patients had positive serology for HCV. They were categorized into two groups based on the results of a PCR test that determined their blood viremia: group 1 (viremic group) and group 2 (nonviremic group). Both groups were subjected to spirometry, HRCT of the chest, diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide, arterial blood gases, and abdominal ultrasound. Results The honeycombing pattern in HRCT was more common in the viremic group(P=0.006), especially with higher level of viremia. Moreover, forced vital capacity (FVC%) value showed statistically significant reduction in the viremic group (P=0.006). Overall, 100% of the patients with honeycombing changes in HRCT had cirrhotic liver changes in abdominal ultrasound (P=0.032). Conclusion There is a relationship between CHC and the prevalence of ILD. Moreover, there was an association between the honeycombing pattern and higher level of viremia.