Address of Corresponding Author

Intervirology 2006;49:107-111 (DOI: 10.1159/000087272)

  Key Words

• Hemophilia
• Hepatitis C virus
• Interferon
• Renal failure
• Thyroid dysfunction

  Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the response to treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or hemophilia in Singapore. Methods: Treatment-naive hepatitis patients with ESRD or hemophilia were given IFN-_2a 3 million units three times per week for 12 months in an open-label study. Hepatitis C virus RNA was determined before treatment, at the end of treatment and 6 months thereafter. Regular clinical examinations including blood counts and biochemistry were carried out during and after the treatment. Results: Nine consecutive patients with ESRD (8 men and 1 woman) and 6 consecutive male patients with hemophilia, with a mean age of 43 and 40 years, received treatment. Patients in both groups were predominantly infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and had significant cytopenia affecting all three cell lines during the treatment; only 1 patient developed serious neutropenia, temporarily demanding a reduction of his IFN dose. Biochemical and virological responses at the end of treatment were accomplished by 8 of the 9 (89%) patients with ESRD and 4 of the 6 (67%) patients with hemophilia; however, 1 patient with ESRD and 2 with hemophilia relapsed after the treatment. Four of the 7 patients with ESRD who had sustained virological response underwent successful kidney transplantation later on. Conclusion: Monotherapy with IFN- for 12 months is safe for treatment of the patients with chronic hepatitis C who had ESRD or those with hemophilia. A higher sustained virological response rate was observed in patients with ESRD than in those with hemophilia (78 vs. 33%).

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

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  Author Contacts

Wan-Cheng Chow, MD
Department of Gastroenterology
Singapore General Hospital
Outram Road, 169608 (Singapore)
Tel. +65 63214684, Fax +65 62273623, E-Mail gm2cwc@sgh.com.sg

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 23

  Publication Details

Intervirology (International Journal of Basic and Medical Virology)

Vol. 49, No. 1-2, Year 2006 (Cover Date: 2006)

Journal Editor: Liebert, U.G. (Leipzig)
ISSN: 0300-5526 (print), 1423-0100 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/int

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