Additionally, patients with MASH carrying the <i>IL17A</i> rs2275913 risk allele had elevated Th17/Treg ratios in peripheral blood.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Genetic predisposition to enhanced Th17 responses, in the context of mycobiome dysbiosis, may promote MASH progression and liver fibrosis.<h4>Impact and implications</h4>Liver inflammation and fibrosis are key drivers of the transition from bland steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The gene discussed is IL17A; the disease is steatosis.