Mutations in the nonstructural protein 5a gene and response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus 1b infection

Article Abstract:

People infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b (HCV-1b) with mutations of the nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) may be more responsive to interferon therapy than people infected with the non-mutated virus. HCV-1b is the most common strain of HCV, causes severe liver damage, and is generally resistant to interferon treatment. Researchers analyzed the viral RNA in blood samples from 84 people with HCV-1b infection who were treated interferon. A complete response to therapy was defined as the absence of HCV RNA in blood six months after treatment. A complete response occurred in all 16 people with a significant changes in the NS5A viral gene but in none of the 30 people without such changes, and in 5 of the 38 people with slight changes. People with low blood levels of HCV RNA before treatment also responded better to therapy.

Health aspects, Interferon, Hepatitis C virus

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Treating hepatitis C in "difficult-to-treat" patients

Article Abstract:

The 'difficult-to-treat' patients are those in whom no sustained virologic response is achieved with the standard treatment. The combination of several different approaches tailored to the individual patient and to the early virologic response to treatment will result in the clearance of HCV in a substantial proportion of the patients who are currently classified as difficult to treat.

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Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in active drug users

Article Abstract:

Many intravenous drug addicts can be successfully treated for hepatitis C even if they continue to use illicit drugs. However, the treatment for hepatitis C has side effects that may be dangerous in people with existing psychiatric conditions.

Drug addicts, Drug abusers

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