Pegylated interferon-alpha for the treatment of sexually transmitted acute hepatitis C in HIV-infected individuals.
BACKGROUND
Sexually transmitted acute hepatitis C among HIV-positive homosexual men has been noted as an emerging epidemic.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients with mainly sexually acquired, acute hepatitis C were enrolled in this prospective, multicentre trial, and 36 of these patients were treated within the acute phase of hepatitis C infection with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) therapy.


RESULTS
Early treatment resulted in sustained virological response in 61% of patients. Peg-IFN alone showed similar treatment response rates and lower incidence of anaemia compared with peg-IFN+ribavirin combination therapy. Higher treatment response rates were observed in patients treated over 48 weeks compared with 24 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of hepatitis C in HIV-positive individuals in the acute phase of infection leads to high rates of sustained virological response. Optimal time and mode of therapy have yet to be defined.
Vogel
Martin
M
Department of Medicine I, University of Bonn, Germany.
Nattermann
Jacob
J
Baumgarten
Axel
A
Klausen
Gerd
G
Bieniek
Bernhard
B
Schewe
Knud
K
Jessen
Heiko
H
Boesecke
Christoph
C
Rausch
Michael
M
Lutz
Thomas
T
Fenske
Stefan
S
Schranzo
Dietmar
D
Kümmerle
Tim
T
Schuler
Christoph
C
Theisen
Albert
A
Mayr
Christoph
C
Seidel
Thomas
T
Rockstroh
Jürgen K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a