[Autoimmunity in children with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin].
The role of interferon alpha or the virus itself in the pathogenesis and the risk of autoimmunological disorders in patients infected with HCV, still remain unknown, especially in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of autoantibodies and the risk of autoimmunological disorders in children with chronic hepatitis C, treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin in the Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Oncology in Gdansk. In the studied group of 12 patients, in 4 cases autoantibodies were present in low titers prior to the treatment and they had no prognostic value for the response to the therapy or the risk of autoimmunological disorders. Positive response for the treatment was achieved in 4 cases; in 3 cases indications for discontinuation of the therapy were established. During the therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin, in 2 children elevation of serum titers of antibodies to liver-kidney microsome type 1 (anti-LKM1) (> 1:640) with normal gammaglobulin levels was noted. In none of the children autoimmunological disorders were observed.
Gora-Gebka
Magdalena
M
Klinika Pediatrii, Gastroenterologii i Onkologii, Dziecieca Akademia Medyczna, 80-803 Gdańsk, Poland.
Liberek
Anna
A
Bako
Wanda
W
Raczkowska-Kozak
Janina
J
Sikorska-Wisniewska
Grazyna
G
Korzon
Maria
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin