Combination therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in the treatment of hepatitis C virus-related thrombocytopenia.
BACKGROUND
Isolated thrombocytopenia is a common manifestation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There is no established treatment modality for this condition. The efficacy of standard interferon (IFN) monotherapy has been reported in some studies. The major disadvantage of this treatment is the high rate of recurrence due to viral breakthrough during the first 12 weeks of treatment. Pegylated IFNs are now the standard regimen for chronic hepatic disease due to HCV infection. However, due to a lack of evidence, pegylated IFNs are not widely used for HCV-related isolated thrombocytopenia.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this report was to present the case of a male patientwith severe symptomatic thrombocytopenia due to HCV infection.


METHODS
Thrombocytopenia was treated with pegylated IFN plus ribavirin.


RESULTS
Although standard IFN monotherapy failed to achieve virologic and hematologic improvement, therapy with pegylated IFN alfa-2a plus ribavirin was associated with both virologic and hematologic improvement without any significant adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Pegylated IFN plus ribavirin was effective in this patient for thetreatment of HCV-related thrombocytopenia. However, further research is needed to define the response rate in different patient populations.
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Tarkan
T
Karakan
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Mehmet
M
Cindoruk
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Bulent
B
Degertekin
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Ibrahim
I
Dogan
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Alper
A
Sancak
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Sukru
S
Dumlu
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Ahmet
A
Gorgul
Gastroenterology Department, Gozi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Selahattin
S
Unal
case report; hepatitis C virus; pegylated interferon; ribavirin combination; thrombocytopenia