Assessment of outcome for sample of Iraqi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated by Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir drug.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response to treatment by the new directly acting antivirals drugs Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir (Harvoni), on Iraqi patients diagnosed with hepatitis C infection genotype1 and genotype 4. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the Gastroenterology unit of Al- Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from February 2019 to February 2020. Included were one hundred patients diagnosed with hepatitis C by antibody test and viral load. All non-cirrhotic participants received a drug containing 400 mg sofosbuvir /90 mg ledipasvir once daily for 12 weeks, whereas the cirrhotics had to take it for 24 weeks. Lab. Investigations and viral load were assessed at baseline, and twelve weeks after end of treatment. RESULTS: The predominant genotype was 1 with 58 (58 %) patients whereas genotype 4 had 42 (42%) patients. Liver cirrhosis was present in 9(9%) patients and severe renal impairment in 27(27%) patients. Undetectable viral load at the end of treatment (week 12) was observed in 96 (96%) patients whereas 4 (4%) patients were reported as non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent therapeutic results were achieved with generic combination of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. The regimen is highly effective and tolerable with the highest viral response observed in HCV patients with genotype 1and 4, inclusive of patients with chronic renal failure or cirrhosis.