[Long-term treatment for non-A, non-B chronic hepatitis--effects on hepatitis C virus (HCV)].
We have treated 16 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis with short term (7-13 weeks) and long term (1 year) interferon. Sustained effect (normalization) of treatment was noted in all by long term treatment, where 7 of 8 with short term treatment showed flare-ups of transaminase after the therapy. In addition, negative turn of anti-HCV antibody was noted in 2 of 5 patients with long term treatment, whereas such change was noted in none of 6 anti-HCV antibody positive patients treated with short term treatment. These data suggest that long term interferon therapy may change natural course of chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis caused by HCV.
Omata
M
M
First Department of Medicine, Chiba University, School of Medicine.
Tada
M
M
Hosoda
K
K
Takano
S
S
Tagawa
M
M
Imazeki
F
F
Yokosuka
O
O
Ito
Y
Y
Ohto
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000637:Transaminases