Comparison of effectiveness of three different interferon (IFN) schedules in chronic hepatitis C

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Viral hepatitis: clinical aspects

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NO INFLUENCE OF INTERFERON TREATMENT ON SERUM BILE ACID IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C Beata Bolewska J. Flieger. Jacek Juszczvk Departof Infectious Diseases, University of Medical Sciences in Poman (Poland)

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The aim of the study is to assess the serum bile acid @a.) concentration in patients with chronic hepatitis during and after 6 mo. interferon therapy. Patients and methods: 60 adult patients with abnormal serum ALT levels, anti-HCV positive and HCV-RNA oositive, with histological chronic henatitis were included. While ireating’them with interferon alpha-2a tiw. 5 MU, for 6 months, we measured serum b. a. while fasting, and 2 hours after a standard meal, in 2nd, 6th, lOth, 18th week of the treatment. In addition the 30th and 42nd week were measured, even though the treatment was stopped at the 24th week. The enzymatic test ( Enzabile, by Nycomed Pharma) was used. Normal fasting range of b. a. is 5 alumoK and 2 hours after a meal is 7 f lumobl. The table presents mean and SD of serum b.a. before treatment and in the

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None of the data above revealed any statistical significance (p>O.O5) Conclusion: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon alpha did not have any influence on the concentration of serum bile acid. mco6/072 COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS OF THREE DIFFERENT INTERFERON (IFN) SCHEDULES IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS C. S., G. Karahalios. 3” Medical Department, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athens. The question regarding the ideal dose and duration of the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with alpha-IFN remains still open. Purpose of the study : Was to investigate the effectiveness of three different IFN schedules in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Material and Methods : Fifty eight patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with alpha-2alFN thrice weekly receiving the following regimens. Twenty five patients, 18 M and 7 W, were treated with 3 MU for 12mo (group I). Seventeen patients 12 M and 5 W, with 6 MU for 6mo and then with 3 MU for an additional 6mo (group II). Sixteen patients, 10 M and 6 W, were treated with 3 MU for 3mo, then 6 MU for 6mo and after 3 MU for 3mo (group Ill). There were no significant pretreatment differences among the 3 groups as to age, disease duration, history and ALT levels. Results : Twelve out of 25 patients of group I (48%) 9 out of 17 of group II (52.9%) and 10 out 16 of group Ill (62.5%) showed normal levels of ALT after two months and during the whole period of treatment.. Six more patients of group I (24%). 3 of group II (17.6%) and 2 of group Ill (12.5%) showed normal levels of ALT for 9mo and then two -fourfold of normal levels. Also 5.3 and 3 patients from group I, II and Ill respectively showed nearly normal levels of ALT during the period of treatment while two patients from groups I and II as well as one from group Ill stopped the treatment afler 3mo as non responders. Conclusions : The most effective IFN schedule was that of third group. It is necessary however to study a larger number of patients in order to deduce more reliable conclusions.

INTRA FAMILIAL TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN EGYPT

Ghaffar* . M. Kamel” . S. EL Moselhv* . N. Abdel w*.Pediatric Department, Ain Shams University* and Clinical Pathology Department, Cairo University”, Cairo , Egypt. We aimed in this work at investigating the possibility of intrafamilial spread of HCV and analyzing its possible transmission routes through studying the HCV Ab and RNA status of 18 multi-transfused index children and 64 of their family members Fourteen other children who were HCV Ab and RNA negative and 36 of their family members were taken as a control group All candidates of the study were subjected to a detailed questionnaire on risk factors for parentral exposure and eating , social and health habits It was found that HCV prevelance among family members of the HCV positive index cases was significantly higher than among family members of the control children (3 1.2% vs 5.9% PcO.05) The highest incidence was in mothers (52.9%) followed by fathers (35.5%) then sibs (12.5%) Index cases with an elevated ALT had a significantly higher number of HCV positive family members than those with a normal ALT(pcO.05) Social class, age of index case and histological diagnosis of liver disease in the index case did not have a significant impact on the HCV status in family members.Also , there was a significantly higher percentage of HCV positive family members among those who shared personal objects with the index case compared to those who didn’t (42.5% vs 12.5% PcO.05) T.Y.Abdel