[Dual infection with hepatitis B and C. Spontaneous course and response to virostatic therapy in children following neoplastic diseases].
Combined chronic hepatitis B and C is a long-term complication in children surviving malignancy. We report on seven children who acquired hepatitis B as well as C virus infection during treatment for different malignancies. Four patients showed a spontaneous HBe Ag/anti-HBe seroconversion, two patients spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus, and one patient showed both HBe Ag/anti-HBe seroconversion and clearance of hepatitis C virus. One patient developed HBe Ag/anti-HBe seroconversion after antiviral interferon monotherapy and another patient after combination therapy with interferon/famcyclovir. Three patients developed complete sustained response of hepatitis C to a combined virostatic therapy with interferon and ribavirin. A total of 4 of 7 patients had a clearance of both infections and 3 of 7 patients had a clearance of at least one infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data in long-term survivors of childhood cancer with combined hepatitis B and C showed a remarkably high rate of spontaneous cure and a favourable response to antiviral therapy.
Moser
Andrea
A
Klinische Abteilung für Pädiatrische Hämatologie/Onkologie, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Graz, Osterreich. andrea.moser@klinikum-graz.at
Lackner
Herwig
H
Deutsch
Johann
J
Kerbl
Reinhold
R
Schwinger
Wolfgang
W
Dornbusch
Hans Jürgen
HJ
Kessler
Harald H
HH
Urban
Christian
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007372:Interferons