Efficacy of early treatment of acute hepatitis C infection with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HIV-infected patients

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Abstract
Treatment of acute hepatitis C (HCV) in HIV-infected patients has been poorly addressed. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a 24 week course of pegylated interferon alfa 2a (PegIFNα2a) and ribavirin for the treatment of acute HCV infection in HIV-infected patients. This was a prospective pilot study of 25 consecutive HIV-infected men with acute HCV infection defined by documented HCV seroconversion to anti-HCV positive antibody and positive qualitative HCV RNA measurement. Patients with detectable HCV RNA (> 50 IU/ml) 12 weeks after diagnosis were offered treatment with PegIFNα2a (180 μg/week) and ribavirin (800 mg/day) for 24 weeks. Sustained virological response was defined by a negative qualitative HCV RNA measurement 24 weeks after the end of treatment. At baseline, 23 patients were taking HAART, 23 patients had HIV RNA Conclusion: Early treatment of acute HCV infection with PegIFNα2a and ribavirin for 24 weeks yields a high sustained virological response rate in HIV-infected patients.