Immune suppression leading to hepatitis C virus re-emergence after sustained virological response.
Sustained virological response SVR is defined as undetectable HCV RNA in plasma 6 months after therapy has been discontinued. Relapse or re-emergence of viremia after SVR is rare. We report two patients that relapsed when immune suppressive therapy was given within a few weeks of achieving SVR. Patient 1 received prednisone for bronchitis and patient 2 relapsed soon after immune suppression was started post renal transplantation. These data suggest that the early phase of SVR might be associated with incomplete protective immunity. They suggest that sterilizing immunity with complete elimination of virus is unlikely. The cases also caution against the use of immune suppressive therapy in the immediate aftermath of SVR.
Lin
Amy
A
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Weill Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York., USA
Thadareddy
Anupama
A
Goldstein
Michael J
MJ
Lake-Bakaar
Gerond
G
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a