Chronic hepatitis in haemophilia.
Chronic hepatitis affects almost all haemophiliacs treated with non-virally inactivated clotting factor concentrates. The virus responsible is hepatitis C (HCV) and most patients have non-neutralising antibodies with circulating virus. Although the majority also have evidence of past infection with hepatitis B, less than 5% are chronic carriers of HBsAg. Chronic hepatitis C can be associated with severe and progressive liver disease but the development of complications is slow. Treatment with recombinant interferon alpha given subcutaneously normalises the liver function in 50% of patients, but 50% of responders relapse on stopping treatment. Liver transplantation is successful in patients with advanced liver disease and it offers the added advantage of phenotypic cure of the haemophilic state.
Makris
M
M
Department of Haematology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Preston
F E
FE
D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D007372:Interferons