Liver hepcidin mRNA, serum ferritin levels and liver hepcidin mRNA/log ferritin ratio did not significantly differ among disease groups (Table 1) with a single exception: liver hepcidin mRNA and liver hepcidin mRNA/log ferritin ratio were significantly different between HBV patients [1.32 (1.08) and 0.61 (0.47), respectively] and AIH patients [0.47 (1.10) and 0.26 (0.53), respectively], being lower in the latter (Fig 1A & 1C). The gene discussed is HAMP; the disease is autoimmune hepatitis.