Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection Among Egyptian Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: Chronic hepatitis C infection incidence and prevalence are high in Egypt and represent a major health burden. Hepatitis C virus infection can affect graft outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection among this special group was difficult during the interferon era; however, with advances in direct-acting antivirals, treatment outcomes have become more promising. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a pilot, observational, single-center, one arm study that included 50 kidney transplant recipients seen at the Mansoura (Egypt) Urology and Nephrology Center. Patients were consented to receive a sofosbuvir-based regimen as all had creatinine clearance of greater than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: All patients achieved rapid virologic responses 4 weeks after starting treatment. Forty-nine of 50 patients achieved 12-week and 24-week sustained viral responses. Six patients had increased serum creatinine levels. Four graft biopsies were performed. Anemia was the most common adverse effect among the patients who were maintained on ribavirin. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection has become easier and safe with the advance of new direct-acting antivirals.