Aim: To study effectiveness of recombinant interferon-alpha (Ifna) in patients with chronic hepatitis C with normal transaminases.
Material and methods: 26 patients with positive tests for abHCV and RNA HCV with a normal level of alaninaminotransferase (AlAT) entered the study. 16 patients of the test group received recombinant Ifna three times a week in a dose 3 mln IU. Mean duration of interferon therapy was 7.44 +/- 4.27 months. Control group consisted of 10 patients with natural course of the disease. Biochemical, virusological and morphological examinations were conducted in all the patients. The patients were followed up for 1.5-2 years, on the average.
Results: Treatment with recombinant Ifna was well tolerated. A persistent positive virusological response after the treatment was achieved in 25% of the test patients. They exhibited improvement of histological structure of the liver. In control group the dynamics was opposite.
Conclusion: In patients with chronic hepatitis C with normal transaminases level interferon therapy improves structure of hepatic tissue. Puncture biopsy of the liver is the main method which determines the validity of the treatment and its efficacy.