[Prospects for interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C with normal transaminase levels].
OBJECTIVE
To study effectiveness of recombinant interferon-alpha (Ifna) in patients with chronic hepatitis C with normal transaminases.


METHODS
26 patients with positive tests for abHCV and RNA HCV with a normal level of alaninaminotransferase (AlAT) entered the study. 16 patients of the test group received recombinant Ifna three times a week in a dose 3 mln IU. Mean duration of interferon therapy was 7.44 +/- 4.27 months. Control group consisted of 10 patients with natural course of the disease. Biochemical, virusological and morphological examinations were conducted in all the patients. The patients were followed up for 1.5-2 years, on the average.


RESULTS
Treatment with recombinant Ifna was well tolerated. A persistent positive virusological response after the treatment was achieved in 25% of the test patients. They exhibited improvement of histological structure of the liver. In control group the dynamics was opposite.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with chronic hepatitis C with normal transaminases level interferon therapy improves structure of hepatic tissue. Puncture biopsy of the liver is the main method which determines the validity of the treatment and its efficacy.
Voronkova
N V
NV
Blokhina
N P
NP
Kelli
E I
EI
Mikhaĭlov
M I
MI
Malyshev
N A
NA
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019562:Viral Load
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007370:Interferon Type I; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase