Impact of peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin treatment on liver tissue in patients with HCV or HCV–HIV co-infection

Summary Objective To evaluate the effect of treatment with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin on liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with or without HIV infection. Methods Patients received peginterferon alpha-2b (1.5μ/kg/week during the first 4weeks; 1.0μ/kg/week thereafter) plus ribavirin (800–1200mg/day, adjusted for weight) for 24 (genotypes 2/3) or 48weeks (genotypes 1/4). Paired liver biopsy specimens were obtained at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Results 108 paired biopsy specimens were available: 67 from HCV-monoinfected and 41 from co-infected patients. At the end of follow-up, necroinflammatory activity (NIA) was significantly reduced ( P P Conclusion Liver fibrosis is reduced significantly after a course of therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Reduction of fibrosis is more significant in patients who are monoinfected with HCV and in those who attained SVR.