Treating Acute HCV in HIV-Coinfected Patients

In a small trial, more than 60% of patients achieved a sustained virologic response when HCV infection was treated during the acute phase.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is typically treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, but the clinical response is poor, and the drugs are not well tolerated. Results from a previous study indicate that response might be better if treatment is initiated during the acute phase of infection (N Engl J Med 2001; 345:1452). However, that study did not include HIV-coinfected patients. Now, investigators in Germany have evaluated this approach among 47 patients with acute HCV infection and HIV coinfection.

Eleven patients did not receive HCV treatment, 9 because they declined it and 2 because their infections cleared spontaneously. However, 8 of these patients went on to develop chronic HCV infection. Among the 36 patients who di…

Reviewing Author

Carlos del Rio, MD

Treating Acute HCV in HIV-Coinfected Patients

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Reviewing Author