Treatment of acute hepatitis C virus infection with interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin: case report and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection becomes chronic in about 85 % of individuals as demonstrated by the persistence of HCV. It is necessary to treat acute hepatitis C infection. Interferon-alpha is generally used for the treatment of acute HCV infection. CASE PRESENTATION A 55-year-old woman with a history of fatigue and icter was diagnosed as acute hepatitis C virus infection. She was treated with interferon-alpha 2b 3 million unite sc three times in a week and ribavirin 1000 mg daily for 6 months. Within 2 weeks of therapy, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had became normal. At the end of the 3 months of therapy, HCV RNA was negative and remained negative 6 months after the end of interferon treatment (sustained response). CONCLUSION: This report suggests that interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin may have a role in treatment of acute hepatitis C virus infection.