Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Dual HCV and HBV Infection

Sustained virologic response rates were similar for patients dually infected with any genotype of HCV and HBV and for HCV-monoinfected patients.

Dual infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common worldwide. Interferon treatment for such infection has been evaluated in small studies (Am J Gastroenterol 2001; 96:2973), but little is known about the efficacy of peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN alfa-2a) plus ribavirin in this setting.

Now, investigators in Taiwan have compared the efficacy of PEG-IFN alfa-2a plus ribavirin in 161 HCV/HBV dually infected patients versus 160 HCV-monoinfected patients. All the dually infected patients were hepatitis B e antigen-negative and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive; 121 were inactive HBV carriers (viral count <2000 IU/mL). Patients with HCV genotype 1 received PEG-IFN alfa-2a (180 µg weekly) plus ribavirin (d…

Reviewing Author

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Dual HCV and HBV Infection

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Reviewing Author