Interferon-alpha in acute posttransfusion hepatitis C: a randomized, controlled trial.
To assess the efficacy of interferon-alpha in acute hepatitis C, 28 patients with acute posttransfusion hepatitis were randomized to receive 3 million units of recombinant interferon-alpha three times weekly for 12 wk or no treatment. Biochemical, histological and serological parameters were monitored during 1 yr of follow-up. Serum ALT levels were normal at the end of therapy in 73% of treated patients and only in 38% of control patients (p = 0.06); these differences disappeared at 6 and 12 mo of follow-up. Anti-hepatitis C virus seroconversion occurred later and at a lower rate in the group of patients who received interferon-alpha. Treated patients had a trend toward less severe hepatic lesions with lower histological activity as compared with the control group, but no statistical differences were observed. No severe side effects of interferon-alpha were detected during the study. In summary, a 3-mo course of interferon-alpha in acute hepatitis C is safe and might have some effect in diminishing disease activity only during the treatment period; however, and probably because of a small sample size, no benefit of interferon-alpha in the long-term outcome of this disease was demonstrated.
Viladomiu
L
L
Department of Medicine, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Genescà
J
J
Esteban
J I
JI
Allende
H
H
González
A
A
López-Talavera
J C
JC
Esteban
R
R
Guardia
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins