Durability of SVR in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with peginterferon-α2a/ribavirin in combination with a direct-acting anti-viral.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of direct-acting anti-virals has increased sustained virological response (SVR) rates in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection. At present, data on long-term durability of viral eradication after successful triple therapy are lacking. AIM: To evaluate the long-term durability of viral eradication in patients treated with triple therapy, including direct-acting anti-virals. METHODS: Patients who participated in randomised, controlled trials or an extended access programme of treatment with peginterferon-α2a/ribavirin in combination with a direct-acting anti-viral (telaprevir, danoprevir, faldaprevir, simeprevir, mericitabine, balapiravir) were followed after achieving SVR. The median follow-up after the patients was 21 (range: 7-64) months. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection [f/m: 34/69; GT-1b: 67 GT-1a: 34, GT-4: 2; mean age: 47.6 years (45.5-49.7; 95% CI)] achieving a SVR triple therapy were followed. Two cases of late relapses (2/103, 1.9%; 95% CI: 0.24-6.8) were observed. One patient was cirrhotic, both carried the genotype 1b and completed the prescribed treatment. The relapses occurred 8 and 12 months after cessation of anti-viral treatment. Cloning sequencing revealed identical sequence in both patients. Resistance analysis revealed no presence of viral resistance. CONCLUSION: Like the SVR after peginterferon-α2/ribavirin combination treatment, HCV eradication after triple therapy remains durable after long-term follow-up.

[Electroretinography findings in the other eye in patients with central retinal vein occlusion]. / Elektroretinografski nalaz na drugom oku kod bolesnika s okluzijom centralne vene mreznjace.

ERG assessment in 32 patients with recent OVCR was done over the period of 6 years. The aim was to check the hypothesis whether ERG values in the affected and "healthy" eye of the same patient are same. The control group consisted of patients of the same age but without eye disease. Scotopic "b" wave and photopic b/a ratio, known as indicators of oxygenation of the retina, were studied. In bs wave and b/a ratio the statistically significant difference between the group with OVCR and the other groups was found. Other groups showed no significant differences. The hypothesis that OVCR associated with a systemic disease is necessarily accompanied with changes in the other eye, has been challenged. However, the safety of the other eye is not absolute.