YKL-40 as a non-invasive serum marker in assessment of rapid fibrosis progression post-orthotopic liver transplantation

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.Liver biopsy has been considered the gold standard method to assess the progression of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C viral infection. Despite its prevalent use, significant complications along with patient discomfort are often reported. A reliable, non-invasive method to assess rapid fibrosis progression in patients with HCV infection must be determined. This study involved 57 subjects that underwent liver transplantation due to end stage liver disease as a result of chronic HCV infection. Serum samples were collected from all subjects at time of biopsy. Measurement of YKL-40 was performed using ELISA assays. Serum samples collected for all subjects at time of biopsy had a total YKL-40 concentration range from 38-1442 ng/mL with a mean of 228.74 ng/mL and a standard deviation of 271.26 ng/mL. The median YKL-40 concentration was 128 ng/mL. Serum YKL-40 is a reliable marker of rapid fibrosis progression and can be used in combination with other markers to accurately predict rapid fibrosis progression in HCV infected patients post orthotopic liver transplantation