A doctoral thesis was discussed in the Department of Life Sciences at the College of Science at Al-Qadisiyah University. The thesis was presented by researcher Najwan Abdul Karim, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Maitham Ghali and Professor Dr. Suad Abdul Fazaa.

The thesis aimed to identify HCV genotypes, including the G4, G1a, G1b, and G3b genotypes. It also aimed to evaluate the association between susceptibility to hepatitis C virus infection and the polymorphisms of genes associated with IL-TNFα -308G>A and IL-28B CT (rs12979860). It also aimed to compare IL-TNFα and IL-28B levels between patients and healthy controls.

The thesis recommended evaluating the association.  HCV genotypes correlate with liver disease severity and cirrhosis stage, and the contribution of other HCV genotypes to treatment response. This includes evaluating polymorphisms in other cytokine genes and their relationship to disease. Further studies are also being conducted to develop a suitable vaccine for the virus.