Deciphering The Correlation Between Triclosan and Immune Response to HCV Infection

Triclosan has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities, and a low aqueous solubility but is highly soluble in organic solvents, also it has high lipophilicity. This study aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between the presence of triclosan in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients' blood samples and illness exacerbation. This study was conducted on 44 patients who were confirmed as HCV infection positive only and did not receive any treatment for HCV infection at the Cardiac and Gastroenterology Center Hospital in Sohag, Egypt. From each patient plasma and serum samples were collected for quantitation of HCV titers using real-time PCR and HCV antibody titers using ELISA. While the amount of triclosan in representative 12 serum samples was measured in monograms by the GC-MS instrument. The results revealed that there is an inverse proportion between the triclosan and HCV particles, and a direct relationship between triclosan and HCV antibody titers. In conclusion, triclosan can confer antibody stimulation and antiviral action against HCV.