Chronic hepatitis C responds poorly to combination therapy in chronic hepatis B carriers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The effect of conventional interferon-based therapy of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) dual infection is controversial. Yet, no studies have been carried out into pegylated interferon treatment for chronic HBV/HCV coinfection. We aimed to evaluate the response rate and side effects of conventional or pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin on chronic HBV/HCV coinfection therapy.

METHODS:

The study included 36 chronic hepatitis patients (M/F: 28/8, mean age 47+/-12 years) who were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. They were tested for the presence of HBV-DNA by hybridisation assay, and the samples giving negative results were retested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients were tested for HCV-RNA using PCR, and the HCV genotype was determined.

RESULTS:

Nineteen patients were given standard interferon either alone or in combination with ribavirin, whereas 17 were given pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. None of the patients had HBV-DNA positivity; however, all had HCV-RNA detectable by PCR. All the patients had HCV genotype 1b. The mean alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were 118+/-65 U/l and 90+/-95 U/l respectively. Five patients in each group discontinued the treatment due to side effects. Only two patients (one from each group) reached sustained virological response.

CONCLUSION:

Neither pegylated nor conventional interferon based regimes were effective for HBV/HCV coinfection, in which the dominant virus was HCV. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy was not superior to conventional interferon based regimes in the treatment of HBV/HCV coinfection.

• Authors: H Senturk, V Tahan, B Canbakan, S Uraz, Y Ulger, R Ozaras, F Tabak, A Mert, G Ozbay
• Journal: The Netherlands journal of medicine (Neth J Med) Vol. 66 Issue 5 Pg. 191-5 (May 2008) ISSN: 0300-2977 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 18490796 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• RNA, Viral
• Recombinant Proteins
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Ribavirin
• peginterferon alfa-2b
• peginterferon alfa-2a

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• DNA, Viral (analysis)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Hepacivirus (isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis B virus (isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyethylene Glycols (therapeutic use)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Prospective Studies
• RNA, Viral (analysis)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (therapeutic use)