A patient with chronic hepatitis C who obtained sustained response by retreatment of interferon after decrease of viral load and mutation in interferon sensitivity determining region

Intern Med. 2001 Jun;40(6):489-92. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.40.489.

Abstract

A 44-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C received three courses of interferon (IFN) therapy. HCV genotype was 1b, viral load was 1,200 kcopies/ml and interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) was the intermediate type before the 1st IFN therapy. The 1st and 2nd IFN therapies resulted in failure to yield a sustained response. Seven years after from the 1st therapy, viral load had decreased to 15 kcopies/ml and ISDR had changed to mutant type. The 3rd IFN therapy yielded sustained response. Thus, we should consider retreatment with IFN when a decrease of the viral load and change of ISDR to mutant type are observed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Hepacivirus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins