Pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 in adolescents
Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2010, Vol 9, Issue 2
Abstract
Background. Hepatitis C is endemic in the Middle East where genotype 4 accounts for most cases. Data regarding the safety and efficacy of peginterferon plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children and adolescents, particularly those infected with genotype 4 is limited. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of peginterferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin in adolescents chronically infected with HCV genotype 4. Patients and methods. In an open-labeled, uncontrolled pilot study, 12 adolescents (range14-17 years) were treated with subcutaneous peginterferon alfa-2b at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg body weight once per week plus oral ribavirin (15 mg/kg/day) for 48 weeks. Patients were followed for 24 weeks post-treatment. All patients had biopsy proven hepatitis without cirrhosis. Results. One patient withdrew from the study due to developing insulin dependent diabetes mellitus 4 months into treatment. The remaining patients received at least 80% of the prescribed dose of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Sustained viral response was observed in 9 patients (75%). The most frequent side effect was flu like illness which was reported in all patients. Sixty seven percent had leucopenia, but only one individual required adjuvant therapy with hematologic growth factor. Four patients had anemia requiring ribavirin dose reduction. One patient developed hypothyroidism. Conclusion. Combination treatment of peginterferon alfa-2b with ribavirin appears to be efficacious and relatively safe in adolescents with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.B.
Authors and Affiliations
Salem Owayed, Jaber Al Ali, Wafa´a Al-Qabandi, Khaled Husain, Fuad Hasan
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP77928
- DOI -
- Views 117
- Downloads 0
Modulatory Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Aegle marmelos Fruits against Cisplatin – Induced Hepatotoxicity In Wistar Rats
Introduction and Aim. Aegle marmelos is an important traditional herbal medicine used in India. The dietary inclusion of the plant has never exposed earlier for its hepatoprotective activity. This study aimed to investig...
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the near future
Annals Impact Factor 1.67. Welcome to the IF club: achievement and challeng
A comparison study of local injection and radiofrequency ablation therapy for traumatic portal vein injure guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
Background. To compare local injection of hemostatic agents and radiofrequency (RF)-assisted hemostasis in the management of bleeding from the portal vein with varying diameters and blood flow velocities. Material and me...
PARK2 polymorphisms predict disease progression in patients infected with hepatitis C virus
Background. The protein encoded by PARK2 gene is a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system that mediates targeting of proteins for the degradation pathway. Genetic variations at PARK2 gene were linked to various di...