Antiviral treatment in acute hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several treatment schedules have been tried in acute hepatitis C, but due to the heterogeneity of included patients and to the non-practical interferon protocols, we assessed prospectively in a non-randomized pilot study, the efficacy of interferon 2b.

METHODOLOGY: Five million units of interferon 2b were given three times weekly by subcutaneous route for 6 months as soon as diagnosis of acute hepatitis C was established.

RESULTS

In 6 jaundiced patients, we have achieved a rate of 83% of sustained response, for at least one year, with normalization of ALT and clearance of HCV RNA. Interferon was very well tolerated and there was no need for changing treatment schedule.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that 5 MU TIW for 6 months is well tolerated and effective in preventing, in a non-aggressive way, a chronic course of hepatitis C infection.