|
Home
What is
Hepatitis
How is it
Transmitted
Long Term
Prognosis
Complications of
HCV
Liver
Biopsy
Treatment Info
(Interferon, Herbal, etc)
Lab Tests (PCR,
Genotype,etc.)
Nutrition
& Alternative Info
Patient
Information (Support Groups, Doctor Listing,
etc)
Related
Webpages
Transplant
Info
Site
Search
HCV
Webrings
My
guestbookbook
Site
Awards
FAQ &
Disclaimers
|
Title: Response To Interferon-Alpha Of Egyptian Patients
Infected With Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 4 Abstract: Hepatitis
C virus (HCV) genotype 4 is the principal HCV genotype found in
Egypt and the Middle East. Little is known concerning its
propensity to cause disease and the frequency with which infected
individuals respond to interferon-a (IFN-a:). We have investigated
the response to treatment in a cohort of 100 chronic hepatitis C
patients infected with genotype 4. All patients had biopsy-proven
chronic active liver disease. Each was treated with 3 million units
(MU) IFN-alpha, thrice weekly. Response was monitored, in 92
patients who completed treatment, by alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
measurements and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HCV. ALT
levels remained abnormal in 64 patients during treatment (69.6%).
Of the 28 patients who showed a biochemical response during
treatment (30.4%), 18 maintained this over the Q-month
posttreatment period. Amongst the sustained biochemical responders,
HCV RNA was cleared from serum in only four of the 18 (22.2%) in
this period. Histological improvement was observed in 26/51 (50.9%)
of the patients who had a second biopsy. Hence, patients infected
with HCV genotype 4 show a poor response to IFN-alpha therapy
compared with genotypes 2 and 3, but a similar response to
IFN-alpha compared with those infected with type Ib HCV. These
findings have major implications for treatment strategies in the
Middle East, including Egypt, where HCV genotype 4 is widely
distributed.
Author: ELZAYADI A, AIN SHAMS UNIV, FAC MED, CAIRO, EGYPT
Source: JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS 1996 SEP;3(5):261-264
Home | What is HCV | Transmission |
Future |
Complications |
Biopsy |
Treatment
| Lab |
Nutrition |
Patient |
Links | Transplant |
Webrings |
guestbookbook |
Awards |
FAQ
|
|