Abstract | BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection is frequent in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and it may cause death independently of the development of full-blown AIDS. In order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of interferon alpha in the treatment of hepatitis delta in HIV-infected patients, and to compare them with those observed in anti-HIV-seronegative patients, we carried out an open uncontrolled trial on 21 HIV-uninfected and 16 HIV-infected patients without severe immunodeficiency. METHODS: All patients were treated with recombinant interferon alpha 2b (IFN) at doses of 10 million units thrice weekly for 6 months, and 6 million units thrice weekly for an additional 6 months. Patients showing alanine transaminase activity values persistently reduced by at least 50% from basal values received an additional 1-year course of 3 million units thrice weekly. RESULTS:
Alanine aminotransferase normalization was observed in 19% of HIV-infected and 14% of HIV-uninfected subjects during the first year; in 12% of HIV-infected and in 9% of HIV-uninfected patients during the second year. Twenty-five percent of HIV-infected and 14% of HIV-uninfected patients stopped IFN because of poor compliance or side effects. Two years after stopping interferon treatment, one anti-HIV-seropositive and two anti-HIV-seronegative patients showed complete persistent biochemical, virological and histologic remission. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term efficacy and toxicity of IFN treatment seem not to be different in HIV-infected and -uninfected patients with delta hepatitis; given the overall poor rate of long-term response, IFN treatment could be considered only in immunocompetent HIV-HDV-coinfected patients, strictly selected because of rapidly evolving liver disease.
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Authors | M Puoti, S Rossi, M A Forleo, S Zaltron, A Spinetti, V Putzolu, A Rodella, G Carosi |
Journal | Journal of hepatology
(J Hepatol)
Vol. 29
Issue 1
Pg. 45-52
(Jul 1998)
ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 9696491
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Hepatitis Antibodies
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
- Recombinant Proteins
- Alanine Transaminase
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Topics |
- Adult
- Alanine Transaminase
(blood)
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Biopsy
- Female
- HIV Infections
(complications)
- Hepatitis Antibodies
(blood)
- Hepatitis B
(complications)
- Hepatitis C
(complications)
- Hepatitis D, Chronic
(complications, drug therapy, pathology)
- Humans
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Recombinant Proteins
- Remission Induction
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