title: Liver fibrosis stage predicts early treatment outcomes with peginterferon plus ribavirin in HIV/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients.
abstract: Thirty-six HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alpha-2a or 2b plus ribavirin were analysed in a prospective observational study. The were 15 (42%) treatment discontinuations; bt intent-to-treat virological responders were 19 (53%) at week 24. A higher fibrosis score predicted premature discontinuation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy and a lack of early virological response. Female sex and HCV genotype predicted early virological responses. Results support the early treatment of HCV in co-infected individuals.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Catholic University of of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Giambenedetto
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cingolani
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ammassari
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marasca
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tumbarello
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fantoni
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tamburrini
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cauda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a