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Pegylated alpha interferon 2B plus ribavirin in the treatment of HCV genotype 4 infection
Tawhida Yassin Abdel Ghaffar1, Suzan El Naghy, Hatem El Sebaie
1Yassin Abdel Ghaffar Charity Center for Liver Disease and Research, Menoufia, Egypt.
Insights
Pegylated interferon-alfa (Peg-INF) combined with ribavirin showed mild side effects and a sustained virologic response (SVR) of 28.6% in children with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4. This combination therapy is well-tolerated in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 poses a significant challenge in pediatric populations.
- Limited data exists on the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon-alfa (Peg-INF) plus ribavirin for HCV genotype 4 in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with Peg-INF and ribavirin in children infected with HCV genotype 4.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of seven children with HCV genotype 4 received Peg-INF and ribavirin.
- HCV RNA levels were monitored using quantitative PCR at multiple time points.
- Liver biopsies were performed before and after treatment.
Main Results:
- Early virologic response (EVR) was observed in 28.6% of children by week 12.
- End-of-treatment response (ETR) was 42.9%, with a sustained virologic response (SVR) of 28.6% after one year.
- Adverse events were mild and did not necessitate dose reduction.
Conclusions:
- Combination therapy with Peg-INF and ribavirin is well-tolerated in children and adolescents with HCV genotype 4.
- The treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile in the studied pediatric cohort.
Objective:
To evaluate safety and efficacy of Peg-INF combined with ribavirin for genotype 4 infected children.
Methods:
Seven children were included, five were infected parentrally, One vertically and one had both exposures. Clinical and laboratory evaluation were undertaken as well as quantitative PCR for HCV RNA before therapy at, 12, 24 and 52 weeks during treatment and one year after therapy. Liver biopsy was performed before and at the end of therapy. Four children had low and three had moderate viremia.
Results:
At twelve weeks, two children (28.6%) lost viremia. Another child lost viremia at 52 weeks. ETR was 42.9%. During follow up one relapsed, thus SVR was 28.6%. Children with SVR were the youngest, their mean duration of infection was 4.5 vs 12.7 years in the others. Side effects of both INF & ribavirin was mild, required no reduction in doses.
Conclusion:
Combination therapy of peg interferon-alpha with ribavirin is well tolerated in children and adolescents studied.
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