Based on the results, the combination of col-III/MMP-1 ratio (CMR), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio and platelet count has been suggested for F2–F4 staging of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection [40]. Here, AFP is linked to chronic hepatitis C virus infection.