RESPONSE TO TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C WITH INTERFERON-ALPHA INPATIENTS INFECTED WITH HIV-1 IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER CD4+ CELL COUNT

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerance of inte rferon a (IFN ct) treatment of chronic hepatitis C in HIV-seropositive patients. Seventeen patients with actively replicating hepatitis C we re consecutively enrolled and treated with IFN alpha 5 MIU three times a week and followed up for at least 6 months after cessation of treat ment. Eight patients responded to IFN alpha therapy with a complete re mission of signs of active hepatitis and viral replication (ALT, HCV-R NA) at the end of treatment with IFN alpha. A sustained complete remis sion (ALT, HCV-RNA) for at least 6 months after the end of treatment w as achieved in five of these eight patients. Complete responders had h igher CD4+ cell counts (median 525/mu l) compared to non-responders (m edian 245/mu l) (p < 0.001). All patients but one completed at least 4 months of treatment. No severe toxicity (> WHO grade 2) due to IFN cc treatment occurred. The results indicate that IFN ex treatment of chr onic hepatitis C in HIV-seropositive patients is successful in a consi derable number of cases. Success of treatment with IFN ex is related t o higher CD4+ cell counts.