Evaluation of Temporal Virological Responses to Interferon-α-2b plus Ribavirin among Genotype 3a Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients.
OBJECTIVES
The present study aimed to examine the impact of rapid virological response (RVR) and early virological response (EVR) on sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C genotype 3a individuals.


METHODS
The patients were given antiviral therapy with IFN-α-2b, 3 million units 3 times a week and 800-1,200 mg of ribavirin daily adjusted to the patient's body weight (<60 kg 800 mg day-1, and >60 kg 1,200 day-1). The patients received this combination therapy for 24 weeks. The patients were evaluated for their viral load at week 4, 12, and 24 using RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Out of 1,471 patients, 43.3% showed a negative viral load in week 4, demonstrating RVR, whereas 56.6% maintained a high viral load. These were further separated based on viral reduction in their plasma: either negative for HCV-RNA at week 12 (n = 575), manifesting EVR, or showing a 2-log reduction in HCV viral load classified as partial EVR (PEVR; n = 259). The PEVR response was less (29.7%) compared with RVR (85.9%) and EVR (69.0%), although nonresponders were found in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals incompliant with their treatment who have a higher RVR significantly influence their SVR towards a better remission that can be treated within a short duration with standard treatment.
['Raza|Abida|A|', 'Ovais|Muhammad|M|', 'Aziz|Hafsa|H|', 'Anwar|Asim|A|', 'Irfan|Javaid|J|', 'Ahmad|Irshad|I|', 'Mukhtar|Muhammad|M|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination D005260:Female D005838:Genotype D016174:Hepacivirus D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic D006801:Humans D007167:Immunotherapy D000077190:Interferon alpha-2 D016898:Interferon-alpha D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011994:Recombinant Proteins D012254:Ribavirin D016896:Treatment Outcome D019562:Viral Load
Interferon-α-2b Ribavirin Sustained virological response Antiviral therapy Viral load Hepatitis C virus