Discrepancy between biochemical and virological responses to interferon-alpha in chronic hepatitis C.
Serial serum samples and pretreatment and post-treatment liver tissue from patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were tested for HCV RNA by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and branched DNA signal amplification assays. At the end of treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN alpha), 4 of 5 patients showing no biochemical response (in alanine aminotransferase activity), 4 of 5 with transient responses, and 1 of 5 showing complete and sustained responses had HCV RNA detectable in serum. The corresponding numbers for liver tissue were 5, 5, and 0 (of 4). However, all 5 complete responders had virological relapses within 6 months. Biochemical response may not reflect virological profile during IFN alpha treatment of HCV.
Lau
J Y
JY
Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Mizokami
M
M
Ohno
T
T
Diamond
D A
DA
Kniffen
J
J
Davis
G L
GL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase