engleski

Interferon-alpha and ribavirin treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal aminotransferase values

Aim: to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) an ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal aminotransferase values. Patients and methods: 12 HCV RNA positive patients (7 males and 5 females, mean age 38, 1 years) with normal or near-normal aminotransferase values on three consecutive occasions and histologically mild disease were included in the study. During the induction period of 4 weeks they received 5 MU IFN-alfa 2b and ribavirin 1000 mg daily. Following 44 weeks they received 3 MU IFN-alfa 2b thrice weekly with ribavirin 1000 mg daily. Serum HCV RNA was tested every three months during treatment, at the end of therapy (end-of-treatment response) and 6 months afterwards (sustained virological response). Results: 7 of 12 patients (58%) cleared the virus at the end of therapy and 5 of 12 (42%) showed sustained virological response. No significant elevation of aminotransferase values was detected during IFN therapy.

chronic hepatitis C; treatment; interferon-alpha; ribavirin; normal aminotransferase values

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