Hepatitis C treatment outcomes using interferon- and ribavirin-based therapy in Kigali, Rwanda.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment data in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study was to determine HCV sustained virologic response(SVR) at 24 weeks in patients undergoing HCV therapy in Kigali, Rwanda.



The paper presents data for all patients treated for HCV with ribavirin/interferon at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda, from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2014.



There were 69 evaluable patients. HCV genotype 4(61%, 42/69) predominated. 24-week SVR was 70%(26/37) by per-protocol and 32%(26/69) by intention-to-treat analysis. HCV treatment in Rwanda is feasible. SVR with interferon/ribavirin was acceptable in the per-protocol analysis. Transition to newer direct acting antivirals is urgently needed in Rwanda and sub-Saharan Africa more generally to improve treatment outcomes.
Institute of Human Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland MD 21201, USA driedel@ihv.umaryland.edu.
David J
DJ
Riedel
Office of Global Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Simone
S
Taylor
Institute of Human Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Kigali, Rwanda.
Raulina
R
Simango
Institute of Human Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Kigali, Rwanda.
Athanase
A
Kiromera
Institute of Human Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Kigali, Rwanda.
Jackson
J
Sebeza
Institute of Human Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Kigali, Rwanda.
Cyprien
C
Baribwira
Department of Internal Medicine, King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.
Emmanuel
E
Musabeyezu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012432:Rwanda; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons
Hepatitis C virus; Interferon; Ribavirin; Rwanda; sub-Saharan Africa