Soluble CD163, a macrophage activation marker, is independently associated with fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C

Abstract

sCD163 levels are increased in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, reflecting macrophage activation. Increased sCD163 is associated with the severity of disease and predicts fibrosis. A sCD163-based fibrosis score, CD163-HCV-FS, is superior to APRI and FIB-4 for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in patients with HCV infection.