3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

EFFICACY OF ACUTE HCV TREATMENT WITH PEG-INTERFERON α-2B AND RIBAVIRIN IN HIV INFECTED PATIENTS

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuPe1.1C01

Kruk A.
Peoples Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation

INTRODUCTION: Mortality and morbidity associated with Hepatitis C (HCV) is increasingly affecting the HIV/HCV co-infected population. It's essential to perform clinical studies to identify the efficacy, safety and tolerability of interferon and ribavirin in the co-infected population.

METHODS: Efficacy, safety and tolerability of peg-interferon α-2b 1.5mcg/kg/weekly and ribavirin 800-1000mg/d for 24 weeks was assessed in a prospective open labeled study in HIV-infected patients with acute HCV-infection. Quantitative HCV RNA, HIV RNA and CD4 count as well as blood count and liver enzymes were assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 12, 24, 48. All patients had a CD4 count >200×10/ml and HIV viral load <200 cp/ml. Recruitment of patients is ongoing with 17 patients enrolled to date.

RESULTS: Infection was predominantly acquired through intravenous drug usage (87%). Other groups were heterosexuals (8%) and homosexuals (5%). The majority was virologically stable on HAART (53%); the rest didn't require HAART. 31% patients were infected with genotype 1/4 and 69% with genotype 2/3. 79% were male and mean age was 29 years (range 19-39). At 4 weeks early biochemical and virological response (normalization of liver transaminases and negative HCV RNA) was observed in 11 (65%) patients, and at 12 weeks 15 (88%) patients were HCV RNA negative. 2 patients (12%) didn't complete therapy up to 3 months due to severe depression. At the end of treatment 15 (88%) patients were still HCV RNA negative, and 9 (53%) patients who overcame 48 weeks are always HCV RNA negative.

CONCLUSIONS: After 24 weeks of acute HCV treatment with peg-interferon α-2b and ribavirin 15 (88%) of treated patients were HCV RNA negative. Peg-interferon and ribavirin show good antiviral efficacy in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Discontinuation rate is low, but depression is a major problem in this cohort with a high proportion of drug users.

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050724
Clinical | TuPe1.1C01 | Alexey Kruk
Hepatitis viruses

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