[Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients]. 2009

Josip Begovac, and Vanja Romih
Department of HIV/AIDS, Dr Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected individuals have a higher risk of advanced liver fibrosis compared to those that are HCV mono-infected. Treatment of HCV offers the possibility of virus eradication, thus every person with detectable HCV viral load is a candidate for treatment. Treatment is recommended for all HCV/HIV co-infected patients with: 1) repeatedly elevated aminotransferase levels; 2) F2 stage of liver fibrosis or higher regardless of alanine aminotransferase level; and 3) more than 200 CD4+ T-lymphocytes per microL of blood. Treatment is not recommended for patients that are active injection drug users, consume large amounts of alcohol, or have or had a severe psychiatric disorder. Liver biopsy is generally recommended, however, because of faster progression to liver fibrosis in HIV and HCV co-infected patients, if the patient declines liver biopsy it should not exclude him from treatment. Treatment with a combination of pegylated interferon and weight-based ribavirin (1000 mg/day if <75 kg and 1200 mg/day if >75 kg) is recommended. Pegylated interferon is used as 180 microg for alfa-2a form and 1.5 mg/kg for alfa-2b form once weekly subcutaneously. HCV RNA should be measured after 4 weeks of treatment, and later as needed, in weeks 12, 24, 48 or 72. For evaluation of a sustained viral response, HCV RNA should be measured 24 weeks after the end of treatment. In patients with rapid viral response (undetectable levels of HCV RNA after 4 weeks of treatment), treatment duration is 24 weeks (genotypes 2 and 3) or 48 weeks (genotypes 1 and 4). In patients without rapid viral response but with an adequate response after 12 and 24 weeks, we generally recommend treatment for 48 weeks, however, 72 weeks of treatment can be considered for genotypes 1 and 4. Treatment discontinuation is recommended in patients with <2 log viral load decline after 12 weeks or with a detectable viral load after 24 weeks of treatment. If concurrent treatment of HCV and HIV is necessary, treatment with zidovudine and didanosine should be avoided and caution is needed with the administration of potentially hepatotoxic antiretroviral drugs such as nevirapine and ritonavir.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008103 Liver Cirrhosis Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D011092 Polyethylene Glycols Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS. Macrogols,Polyoxyethylenes,Carbowax,Macrogol,Polyethylene Glycol,Polyethylene Oxide,Polyethyleneoxide,Polyglycol,Glycol, Polyethylene,Glycols, Polyethylene,Oxide, Polyethylene,Oxides, Polyethylene,Polyethylene Oxides,Polyethyleneoxides,Polyglycols,Polyoxyethylene
D011994 Recombinant Proteins Proteins prepared by recombinant DNA technology. Biosynthetic Protein,Biosynthetic Proteins,DNA Recombinant Proteins,Recombinant Protein,Proteins, Biosynthetic,Proteins, Recombinant DNA,DNA Proteins, Recombinant,Protein, Biosynthetic,Protein, Recombinant,Proteins, DNA Recombinant,Proteins, Recombinant,Recombinant DNA Proteins,Recombinant Proteins, DNA
D004359 Drug Therapy, Combination Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect. Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug
D005838 Genotype The genetic constitution of the individual, comprising the ALLELES present at each GENETIC LOCUS. Genogroup,Genogroups,Genotypes
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000077190 Interferon alpha-2 Alpha interferon encoded by the human IFNA2 gene. Recombinant forms are used in the treatment of CHRONIC HEPATITIS B; CHRONIC HEPATITIS C; KAPOSI SARCOMA; MELANOMA; and HAIRY CELL LEUKEMIA. IFN-alpha 2,IFN-alpha-2,IFNalpha-2b, Recombinant,Interferon alfa-2a,Interferon alfa-2b,Interferon alpha-2b, Recombinant,Interferon alpha-A,Interferon-alpha 2,Intron A (Interferon),LeIF A,Reaferon,Recombinant Interferon alpha-2a,Recombinant Interferon alpha-2b,Ro 22-8181,Roferon-A,Sch-30500,Viferon,IFNalpha 2b, Recombinant,Interferon alfa 2a,Interferon alfa 2b,Interferon alpha 2,Interferon alpha 2b, Recombinant,Interferon alpha A,Interferon alpha-2a, Recombinant,Recombinant IFNalpha-2b,Recombinant Interferon alpha 2a,Recombinant Interferon alpha 2b,Ro 22 8181,Ro 228181,Roferon A,RoferonA,Sch 30500,Sch30500
D000998 Antiviral Agents Agents used in the prophylaxis or therapy of VIRUS DISEASES. Some of the ways they may act include preventing viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase; binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inhibiting viral penetration or uncoating; inhibiting viral protein synthesis; or blocking late stages of virus assembly. Antiviral,Antiviral Agent,Antiviral Drug,Antivirals,Antiviral Drugs,Agent, Antiviral,Agents, Antiviral,Drug, Antiviral,Drugs, Antiviral
D012254 Ribavirin A nucleoside antimetabolite antiviral agent that blocks nucleic acid synthesis and is used against both RNA and DNA viruses. Ribovirin,Tribavirin,ICN-1229,Rebetol,Ribamide,Ribamidil,Ribamidyl,Ribasphere,Vilona,Viramide,Virazide,Virazole,ICN 1229,ICN1229
D012367 RNA, Viral Ribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of viruses. Viral RNA

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