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Predictors of sustained virological response in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infection

Dorota Zarębska-Michaluk1, Dariusz Lebensztejn2, Magdalena Chrapek3

  • 1Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Regional Polyclinical Hospital, Kielce, Poland.

Clinical and Experimental Hepatology
|September 1, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 patients treated with standard therapy were identified. Low platelet count and elevated GGT indicate poor response, while rapid and early virological response predicts SVR.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 infection poses a significant global health challenge.
  • Standard therapy with pegylated interferon alpha (PegIFNα) and ribavirin (RBV) has been a cornerstone treatment for HCV.
  • Identifying predictors of treatment success is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate factors associated with sustained virological response (SVR) in treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 3.
  • To determine the predictive value of early virological response markers for SVR.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 116 treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 3 receiving 24 weeks of PegIFNα and RBV.
  • Assessment of pretreatment factors, including liver biopsy, platelet count, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels.
  • Measurement of HCV RNA at weeks 4 (rapid virological response - RVR) and week 12 (early virological response - EVR).

Main Results:

  • An overall SVR rate of 70.7% was achieved.
  • Univariate analysis showed younger age, mild fibrosis, normal GGT, and normal platelet count predicted higher SVR.
  • Multivariate analysis identified baseline platelet count > 140,000/µl and normal GGT as significant predictors of SVR.
  • RVR was achieved by 34.1% of patients, and EVR by 84.8%.
  • Patients achieving RVR had a significantly higher SVR rate (p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

  • Low baseline platelet count and elevated GGT activity are associated with poor response to PegIFNα and RBV in HCV genotype 3 infection.
  • Achieving rapid and early virological response strongly predicts a higher likelihood of SVR.
  • These findings aid in predicting treatment outcomes for HCV genotype 3 patients receiving standard therapy.
Abstract

Keywords:
antiviral treatmentgenotype 3hepatitis C

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