In a recent study, Strnad et al analysed genomic DNA from a well-characterised German cohort of 329 patients with chronic hepatitis C and found that previously described and novel keratin 8 (K8) variants are present and collectively associate with the progression of fibrosis.34 The unique 100% segregation of the most common K8 variant, R341H, with an intronic deletion suggests that one of these two genetic changes might lead to the other. This evidence concerns the gene KRT8 and chronic hepatitis C virus infection.