Sustained HCV-RNA response and hepatitis Bs seroconversion after individualized antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin and active vaccination in a hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B virus-coinfected patient

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Oct;19(10):906-9. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e3282094160.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is frequently associated with progressive liver disease. Treatment options are limited and no data on the efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin therapy are available. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis B and C who was scheduled for a 48 weeks course of PEG-IFNalpha-2b plus ribavirin therapy. She had HCV genotype 2 infection and was negative for HBV-DNA and HBe antigen before treatment. Although the HCV-RNA response was rapid until week 12, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels showed a more linear decline. At week 48, HBsAg was still positive, however, with very low levels of only 0.06 IU/ml. Treatment was therefore continued for another 4 weeks combined with active HBV immunization until HBs seroconversion occurred. Forty-three weeks after treatment, the patient showed a robust HBs seroconversion (anti-HBs of 260 IU/ml) and a sustained HCV-RNA response. This case highlights that combination therapy of PEG-IFNalpha-2b with ribavirin of HBV/HCV-coinfected individuals cannot only induce a sustained HCV-RNA response but also HBsAg seroconversion in single patients. Monitoring of HBsAg levels can be useful in individualizing optimal treatment duration in HBV-infected patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b