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- Title
Effect of anti-viral therapy for occult hepatitis C virus infection.
- Authors
PARDO, M.; LÓPEZ‐ALCOROCHO, J. M.; CASTILLO, I.; RODRÍGUEZ‐IÑIGO, E.; PEREZ‐MOTA, A.; CARREÑO, V.
- Abstract
Background Occult hepatitis C virus infection is defined by the presence of hepatitis C virus-RNA in liver but with undetectable anti-hepatitis C virus and serum viral RNA. Aim To study the response to anti-viral therapy in occult hepatitis C virus infection to assess the pathogenic effect of occult hepatitis C virus. Methods Ten patients with occult hepatitis C virus infection were treated with pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin for 24 weeks and were followed-up 24 weeks after therapy. All patients had abnormal alanine aminotransferase, hepatitis C virus-RNA positive in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and liver necroinflammation. Results At the end of treatment and follow-up, the percentage of patients with normal alanine aminotransferase was 80% (95% CI: 48–96%) and 60% (95% CI: 31–84%) respectively, and hepatitis C virus-RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was negative in 80% (95% CI: 48–96%) and 70% (95% CI: 40–90%) cases. At the end of follow-up sustained response was observed in 30% (95% CI: 11–61%) of cases. Five patients underwent a second liver biopsy. In all cases, liver hepatitis C virus-RNA persisted, although hepatitis C virus-RNA load was significantly lower (3.2 × 104 ± 5.1 × 104 copies/μg RNA) than in the basal biopsy (2.4 × 105 ± 3.8 × 105 copies/μg RNA); ( P = 0.043). Necroinflammation and fibrosis decreased in three cases. Conclusion The biochemical, virological and histological response to therapy achieved in patients with occult hepatitis C virus infection demonstrates the pathologic effects of occult hepatitis C virus.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS C; HEPATITIS C virus; ANTIVIRAL agents; RIBAVIRIN; AMINOTRANSFERASES
- Publication
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2006, Vol 23, Issue 8, p1153
- ISSN
0269-2813
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02886.x