Published in:
01-09-2019 | Ribavirin | Nephrology - Original Paper
Treatment of hepatitis C infection among Egyptian hemodialysis patients: the dream becomes a reality
Authors:
Ahmed Yahia Elmowafy, Hanzada Mohamed El Maghrabi, Khaled Farouk Eldahshan, Ayman Fathi Refaie, Mohammed Adel Elbasiony, Yasser Elsayed Matter, Hazem Hamed Saleh, Gamal Elsayed Shiha, Lionel Rostaing, Mohamed Adel Bakr
Published in:
International Urology and Nephrology
|
Issue 9/2019
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Abstract
Background and aims
New direct-acting antiviral drugs have become the corner-stone treatment for HCV infection: they show promising results with accepted side-effects and low dropout rates. One of the available regimens is paritaprevir/ombitasvir/ritonavir (PTV/OMV/RTV). Our aim was to study the efficacy and safety of this drug regimen among HCV-positive hemodialysis patients.
Methods
This prospective single-center study was performed in the Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Egypt. Ninety-six maintenance hemodialysis patients were screened for HCV antibodies. Positive results were found in 46 patients (47.9%). HCV PCR was assessed in all HCV-antibody-positive patients; positive results were found positive for 38 (82%); all patients were HCV genotype 4. Four patients were excluded due to advanced liver cirrhosis, liver malignancy, or metastatic breast cancer. Thirty-four patients were prescribed PTV/OMV/RTV for 3 months to treat HCV.
Results
Mean age was 43.2 ± 11.9 years. Most patients were male (67.6%). There was a rapid response to treatment: HCV PCR became negative by 4 weeks after starting treatment. By 12 and 24 weeks post-DAA therapy, there was a sustained viral response (SVR 12, SVR 24) in 100% of patients with improved liver-enzyme levels.
Conclusion
The PTV/OMV/RTV regimen was safe and effectively treated Egyptian HCV-positive genotype-4 hemodialysis patients.