[Interferon therapy for acute hepatitis C; changes in serum markers associated with HCV and clinical effects].

Abstract

In order to prevent the progression to chronicity of acute hepatitis C, we treated 22 patients with natural human alpha or beta interferon (IFN) in varying doses (3-6 megaunit) daily, for 4 weeks everyday or TIW for 8 weeks. 14 (63.6%) of the 22 patients was cured with IFN therapy. According to the level of serum HCV RNA, 5 (83%) of the 6 patients with more than 10(5) copies/ml were progressed to chronicity, while 10 (91%) of the 11 patients with less than 10(5) copies/ml were cured. Curative rate on each genotypes was 3/9 (33%) in type II, 2/3 (67%) in type III and 1/2 (50%) in type IV. Positive cases for anti C100-3 before IFN were cured only 2 (28.6%) of the 7 patients, but negative cases were cured in 12 (80%) of the 15 patients. This study reveal that IFN therapy for acute hepatitis C may contribute to prevent the progression to chronicity and that the determination of the level of serum HCV RNA, HCV genotypes and anti C 100-3 levels may be useful to predict that efficacy of IFN and also to make a schedule for successful IFN therapy.

• Authors: S Fukui, H Tohyama, S Iwabuchi
• Journal: Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine (Nihon Rinsho) Vol. 52 Issue 7 Pg. 1847-51 (Jul 1994) ISSN: 0047-1852 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 7521429 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Hepatitis Antibodies
• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• Interferon-alpha
• RNA, Viral
• Interferon-beta

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Female
• Genotype
• Hepacivirus (genetics)
• Hepatitis Antibodies (blood)
• Hepatitis C (diagnosis, therapy)
• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Interferon-beta (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Viral (blood)