Similarly, IL-29 mRNA expression was highest in HCV patients (26.4-fold vs. non-HCV liver diseases, p<0.05; Fig. 5A) and was detectable in 78% (7/9) of HCV biopsies but in only 63% (12/19) of biopsies from non-HCV hepatitis (Fig. 5B). This evidence concerns the gene IFNL1 and hepatitis A virus infection.