Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis Prevention among Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Aug;21(8):1466-9. doi: 10.3201/eid2108.150199.

Abstract

Findings among a cohort of 26 patients who had hematologic malignancies and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection support that HEV can induce chronic hepatitis. However, a 3-month course of ribavirin can induce a rapid viral clearance, reducing the risk for chronic hepatitis and enabling continuation of cytotoxic treatments for underlying malignancies.

Keywords: Hepatitis E; chronic hepatitis; cirrhosis; hematology; malignancy; ribavirin; viruses.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis E / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis E / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis E / virology
  • Hepatitis E virus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin