Chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infection: response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin

J Infect Dis. 2008 Sep 15;198(6):808-12. doi: 10.1086/591252.

Abstract

Background: To date, no study has evaluated pegylated interferon for the treatment of chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6. We aimed to determine the efficacy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for treating infection with genotype 6 versus genotype 1.

Methods: Forty-two patients chronically infected with HCV (for genotype 1, n = 21; for genotype 6, n = 21) were treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (n = 20) or alpha-2b (n = 22) combined with oral ribavirin for 48 weeks.

Results: There was no difference between genotypes 1 and 6 in the rates of early virological response (76% vs. 81%; P > .05) and end-of-treatment response (71% vs. 81%; ). Patients infected with genotype 6 had a higher rate of sustained virological response (SVR) than did patients infected with genotype 1 (86% vs. 52%; P = .019). The overall adverse-effects profile was similar in both genotype groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of SVR between patients receiving pegylated interferon alpha-2a and those receiving alpha-2b. Multivariate analysis showed that genotype was the only significant factor associated with SVR (P = .039).

Conclusions: Treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 48 weeks resulted in a significantly higher rate of SVR in patients infected with genotype 6 than in those infected with genotype 1. Further studies are required to determine whether lower dosages and 24 weeks of therapy may be sufficient for the treatment of genotype 6 infection.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Genotype
  • Hepacivirus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2a