RECURRENT CLINICAL EXACERBATIONS OF LIVER-DISEASE DURING THE COURSE OF INFECTION WITH HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

Symptomatic clinical relapses during the course of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are uncommon. Furthermore, acute liver dysfunct ion with elevated bilirubin during alpha-interferon therapy without ot her apparent coexisting diagnoses is rare. The case of a 31-yr-old man with three clinical exacerbations of HCV infection over an 18-month p eriod is described. The third episode was characterized by rising seru m aminotransferase levels on alpha-interferon therapy. The precise cau se of this patient's flares is unknown. An immunologically mediated cl earance of the hepatitis C virus, mutation of HCV, or infection with d ifferent HCV viral strains are the leading possibilities.