[Therapy with interferon plus ribavirin in hemodialysis patient with PCR-positive viral hepatitis C].

Abstract

Traditionally, the treatment of viral hepatitis C (positive Polymerase Chain Reaction -PCR-) was with Interferon. A combination of Interferon plus Ribavirin has been producing better results in last years. Currently, Ribavirin is not indicated for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease because of a high risk of severe anaemia. In a few cases, this treatment is producing good results with previous dose adjustment. We show a case of a 28-year-old man with Chronic Kidney Disease on treatment with periodical hemodialysis and chronic hepatopathy HCV Positive RNA HCV (> 1,000,000 copies/ml) and persistent transaminase elevation. Before kidney transplantation, we decided to use Interferon (3,000,000 IU/48 hours) and Ribavirin (200 mg/24 hours) treatment. After 15 days, we saw normal transaminase values and HCV RNA was negative. The patient required temporary suspension of Ribavirin and two red blood cell transfusions due to severe anaemia. Ribavirin was reintroduced 200 mg/48 h posthemodialysis. The patient did not present any complication again, and could be treated for 14 months. After next 11 months of evolution the patient has normal rates of liver function and negative HCV RNA values.

• Authors: M Arambarri, M Fernández Lucas, R Echarri, J L Teruel, C Alarcón, J L Merino, J Ortuño
• Journal: Nefrologia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia (Nefrologia) Vol. 24 Suppl 3 Pg. 39-42 ( 2004) ISSN: 0211-6995 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Tratamiento con interferón a y ribavirina en un paciente de hemodiálisis virus C, PCR positivo.
• PMID: 15219067 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon-alpha
• RNA, Viral
• Ribavirin

Topics

• Adult
• Anemia (chemically induced, therapy)
• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Blood Transfusion
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Hepacivirus (isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis C (drug therapy, virology)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (etiology, therapy)
• Male
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• RNA, Viral (blood)
• Renal Dialysis
• Ribavirin (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Vesico-Ureteral Reflux (complications)
• Viremia (drug therapy, virology)