Open AccessDoesFasciola hepaticainfection modify the response of acute hepatitis C virus infection to IFN-α treatment?
Author(s) -
Mehmet Sahin
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v11.i48.7688
Subject(s) - immunology , immune system , fasciola hepatica , alpha interferon , medicine , interferon , hepatitis c virus , interferon alfa , virology , virus , helminths
Immunologic response to acute hepatitis C is mainly a Th1 response, whereas fasciolopsiasis is associated with a diverse T-cell response. Interferon-alpha has immunomodulatory effects and enhances Th1 immune response. Fasciola infection could theoretically interfere with the Th1 immune response, even when acquired after an initial response to interferon-alpha treatment for acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We report here the case of a male patient who acquired Fasciola hepatica infection after an initial response to IFN-alpha therapy with a favorable outcome.