title: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection with interferon alfa and ribavirin: sustained response in two patients with transfusion dependent thalassaemia.
abstract: We describe two cases of transfusion dependent thalassaemics with chronic hepatitis C virus infection whom were treated successfully with interferon and ribavirin, following failure of response or relapse after an initial response to interferon monotherapy. They had sustained virological response for more than twelve months after completing therapy. Transfusion requirements were significantly increased during the combination therapy, probably due to ribavirin-induced haemolysis. Serum ferritin level decreased significantly during the treatment. Combination therapy with interferon alfa and ribavirin may be a feasible treatment option for some nonresponders to prior interferon monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamidah
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Zulkifli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jamal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin