C282Y mutation and hepatic iron status in hepatitis C and cryptogenic cirrhosis

Background.-Increased iron deposition in liver is seen in both primary and secondary hemochromatosis. However, it is not uncommon to see significant iron deposition in a liver biopsy, explant, or autopsy specimen without any significant clinical risk factor. Because of the discovery of the candidate gene (HFE) for hereditary hemochromatosis, we may now be able to screen high-risk patient populations for the abnormal mutation (C282Y). Materials and Methods.-In this study we analyzed the livers of 50 transplant patients with a diagnosis of either hepatitis C cirrhosis or cryptogenic cirrhosis for the prevalence of the more common C282Y mutation of the HFE gene and correlated the findings to hepatic iron concentration. Results.-Of the 26 cases of hepatitis C cirrhosis, 3 were found to be heterozygous for the C282Y mutation. Of the 22 cases of cryptogenic cirrhosis, 1 was found to be heterozygous for the C282Y mutation. Stainable iron was increased in hepatitis C cirrhosis (76.9%) as compared to cryptogenic cirrhosis (50%) (P = .05). Of the 3 heterozygotes with hepatitis C cirrhosis, 2 showed hepatic iron concentrations of 3+ and 4+, and 1 showed 1+. Conclusions.-We conclude that patients with hepatitis C have an increased tendency to accumulate iron in the liver, and mutations in the HFE gene play a minor role in hepatic accumulation of iron in these patients.