title: Interferon alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients receiving zidovudine: efficacy, tolerance and response related factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In our area most of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients are intravenous drug users; HIV and hepatitis C virus infections often coexist in these patients. Due to the repercussions of both infections, we designed a trial to evaluate the efficacy, response-related factors and tolerance during an eight-month regime of recombinant interferon alpha-2b on hepatitis C virus infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 79 patients in an open, prospective and multicentric trial with zidovudine and interferon alpha-2b. Response to interferon treatment was evaluated by biochemical and histopathological criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A complete response (alanine aminotransferase normalization) was obtained in 57.4% of patients. The significant response-related factors were: degree of histopathological activity, CD4+ cell number and initial leukocyte number.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recombinant interferon therapy seems to be effective for chronic hepatitis C in HIV infected patients; the best response was in those with active chronic hepatitis and CD4+ cell counts > or = 200/mm3. General tolerance was variable, although side effects were not different from those seen in non-HIV patients. The most common side effect was flu-like syndrome (constitutional manifestations), with no interference on treatment continuity; however, hematological toxicity prevents the indiscriminate use of interferon.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Del Pozo
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinilla
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Labarga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alcoba
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Martinez de la Cruz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anton
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carro
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Echevarria
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garrote
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moreno-Otero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015215:Zidovudine