So to conclude, this meta-analysis demonstrated that CTLA-4 rs231775, IL-18 rs1946518 and IL-18 rs187238 polymorphisms may confer susceptibility to HBV in East Asians, while CTLA-4 rs5742909, IL-18 rs1946518 and IL-18 rs187238 polymorphisms may confer susceptibility to HCV in South Asians.
Recently, two functional IL18 promoter variants, -607C>A (rs1946518) and -137G>C (rs187238), were associated with viral clearance in patients with hepatitis C. The present study focused on their relevance for treatment response.