Pegylated Interferon Alfa for Acute Hepatitis C

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a at 135 µg weekly for 24 weeks cleared hepatitis C viremia in 89% of hemodialysis patients with acute infection.

The incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients on hemodialysis is 0.3% to 2.6%. Monotherapy with either conventional interferon or pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2b has been used successfully to treat acute hepatitis C. Now, in a trial involving hemodialysis patients with acute HCV infection, researchers have examined the safety and efficacy of PEG-IFN alfa-2a, which is thought to have better pharmacokinetics and a better safety profile than the other preparations in this population.

Between July 2005 and June 2008, 42 eligible patients were identified at four centers in Taiwan. Seven (16.7%) cleared their HCV infections spontaneously, based on undetectable serum HCV RNA levels at the end of a 16-week observation peri…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Pegylated Interferon Alfa for Acute Hepatitis C

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Reviewing Author