BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of persistently abnormal transaminase levels despite clearance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA during antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing peginterferon alpha and ribavirin therapy and post-treatment follow-up for 24 weeks were included. The blood cell counts, liver biochemistry and serum HCV RNA levels were determined before, during and at 24 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 104 patients (68.9%) achieved sustained virological response. Fifty-four of them (52%) had persistently abnormal transaminase levels during treatment despite clearance of serum HCV RNA. Among them, 27 patients (26%) had persistently abnormal serum AST and ALT levels and another 17 patients (16.3%) displayed isolated elevated AST levels. These 44 patients had normalized transaminase levels by two to three months after the end of treatment. The delayed biochemical response correlated with a higher baseline hepatic fibrosis stage (p=0.017) and liver cirrhosis (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 42% of the patients eventually achieving sustained virological response following peginterferon alpha and ribavirin therapy showed delayed biochemical normalization. Delayed biochemical response was associated with the baseline hepatic fibrosis stage and liver cirrhosis.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of persistently abnormal transaminase levels despite clearance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA during antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing peginterferon alpha and ribavirin therapy and post-treatment follow-up for 24 weeks were included. The blood cell counts, liver biochemistry and serum HCV RNA levels were determined before, during and at 24 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 104 patients (68.9%) achieved sustained virological response. Fifty-four of them (52%) had persistently abnormal transaminase levels during treatment despite clearance of serum HCV RNA. Among them, 27 patients (26%) had persistently abnormal serum AST and ALT levels and another 17 patients (16.3%) displayed isolated elevated AST levels. These 44 patients had normalized transaminase levels by two to three months after the end of treatment. The delayed biochemical response correlated with a higher baseline hepatic fibrosis stage (p=0.017) and liver cirrhosis (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 42% of the patients eventually achieving sustained virological response following peginterferon alpha and ribavirin therapy showed delayed biochemical normalization. Delayed biochemical response was associated with the baseline hepatic fibrosis stage and liver cirrhosis.
Authors: Su Hyun Cho; Sung Wook Lee; Seok Reyol Choi; Sang Young Han; Myung Hwan Roh; Jong Hoon Lee; Jin Seok Jang; Yang Hyun Baek; Su Young Kim Journal: Gut Liver Date: 2011-03-16 Impact factor: 4.519
Authors: Nathan Ford; Catherine Kirby; Kasha Singh; Edward J Mills; Graham Cooke; Adeeba Kamarulzaman; Philipp duCros Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2012-02-03 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Phimpha Paboriboune; Thomas Vial; Philavanh Sitbounlang; Stéphane Bertani; Christian Trépo; Paul Dény; Francois-Xavier Babin; Nicolas Steenkeste; Pascal Pineau; Eric Deharo Journal: Virol Sin Date: 2018-06-13 Impact factor: 4.327