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Interferon and ribavirin as frontline treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection in thalassaemia major
Author(s) -
Li Chi Kong,
Chan Paul K. S.,
Ling Siu Cheung,
Ha Shau Yin
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2002.03491.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , gastroenterology , alpha interferon , hepatitis c , haemolysis , hepatitis c virus , genotype , interferon , interferon alfa , blood transfusion , immunology , virus , biology , biochemistry , gene
Summary. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia. The clinical usefulness of 12‐month treatment, using interferon alpha 3 MIU/m 2 thrice weekly and oral ribavirin 16 mg/kg/d, was evaluated in 18 previously untreated thalassaemia patients. The median age at start of treatment was 16 years (range 7–29). Fourteen were infected with genotype 1b and 4 with genotype 6a. The sustained biochemical and virological response rates 6 months after stopping treatment were both 72·2%. Blood consumption was temporarily increased by 30% due to ribavirin‐associated haemolysis. This study demonstrated a high, sustained response rate to combination treatment despite infection with genotype 1b.