Impact of peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin treatment on liver tissue in patients with HCV or HCV-HIV co-infection

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Sarmento Castro, R (Author) Other; Horta, A (Author) Other; Vasconcelos, O (Author) Other; Coelho, H (Author) Other; Mendez, J (Author) Other; Tavares, AP (Author) Other; Seabra, J (Author) Other; Duarte, M (Author) Other; Chaves, L (Author) Other; Fortes, O (Author) Other; Recalde, C (Author) Other; Ventura, A (Author) Other; Pires, N (Author) Other; Pinho, L (Author) Other; Dias, N (Author) Other; Carneiro F (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Infection

Vol. 54

Pages: 609-616

ISSN: 0163-4453

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-9TF

DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2006.11.010

Abstract (EN): Objective: To evaluate the effect of treatment with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin on liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with or without HIV infection. Methods: Patients received peginterferon alpha-2b (1.5 mu/kg/week during the first 4 weeks; 1.0 mu/kg/week thereafter) plus ribavirin (800-1200 mg/day, adjusted for weight) for 24 (genotypes 2/3) or 48 weeks (genotypes 1/4). Paired liver biopsy specimens were obtained at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Results: 108 paired biopsy specimens were available: 67 from HCV-monoinfected and 41 from co-infected patients. At the end of follow-up, necroinflammatory activity (NIA) was significantly reduced (P < 0.001), and fibrosis scores improved by >= 1 point (Ishak et al criteria) in 65.7% of HCV-monoinfected patients. In co-infected patients, NIA was significantly reduced (P < 0.001), and fibrosis scores improved by >= 1 point in 42.5% of cases. In both groups, results were better for patients who attained sustained virological response (SVR). HCV RNA was undetectable in the second biopsy specimens of all patients who attained SVR. Conclusion: Liver fibrosis is reduced significantly after a course of therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Reduction of fibrosis is more significant in patients who are monoinfected with HCV and in those who attained SVR.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8