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9th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]24 – 26 April 2003, University of Manchester
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[AUTHOR(S):] RM Lascar1, A Smith2, S Smith2, E Macfarlane1 and RJC Gilson1,2
1 Department of STD, Royal Free and University College Medical School, and 2 The Mortimer Market Centre, Camden Primary Care Trust, London, UK
BHIVA Conf 2003 Apr 24-26;9:O17
BACKGROUND: An increasing number of HIV-positive patients are being diagnosed with acute hepatitis C. However, little is known about the requirement for and feasibility of interferon treatment in HIV-positive patients. Uncontrolled clinical trials of interferon treatment for acute HCV in HIV-negative patients suggest that most chronic infection can be prevented. Little is known about the outcome in HIV-positive patients.
METHODS: We present the results of a small observational study of HIV-positive patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis C during January 2000–January 2003. 15 patients were offered treatment with pegylated interferon-α2b with the addition of ribavirin after 12 weeks if they were still HCV RNA-positive.
RESULTS: Two patients presented with jaundice; others were asymptomatic but had elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. Five patients had concomitant syphilis and all had a history of unsafe sex; none had a history of intravenous drug use or iatrogenic risks for HCV exposure. Four patients had spontaneous seroconversion and became HCV RNA-negative within 3 months of the initial diagnosis, but all had HCV RNA resurgence on long-term follow-up. Eight patients started interferon therapy, and at 12 weeks, three patients were HCV RNA-negative; 24-week treatment data will be presented.
CONCLUSIONS: Some patients clear HCV RNA spontaneously after acute infection, but in this small series, reactivation occurred in all cases. Interferon treatment is feasible; however, larger prospective studies are needed, including study of the long-term outcome.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: RM Lascar
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Copyright © 2003 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD