An analysis of acute changes in interleukin-6 levels after treatment of hepatitis C with consensus interferon.

Cytokine production has been implicated in the antiviral response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in hepatitis C and in the development of IFN-alpha-related side effects. We characterized acute changes in serum cytokine levels following administration of a single dose of consensus IFN (IFN-con1) and during continuous treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients. Serum samples were collected at baseline, at multiple times early after IFN administration, and weekly thereafter.

Patients' values for health states associated with hepatitis C and physicians' estimates of those values.

Objectives: Hepatitis C is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis in the United States. Little information is available regarding how persons with hepatitis C view health with their disease. We studied patients' perceptions about the value of hepatitis C health states and evaluated whether physicians understand their patients' perspectives about this disease.

Daily interferon therapy for hepatitis C virus infection in liver transplant recipients.

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection persists after liver transplantation and causes recurrent liver injury in the majority of patients. Standard dose interferon therapy has been largely unsuccessful for hepatitis C in transplant recipients.

Methods: Twelve patients, at least 7 months posttransplant, with detectable hepatitis C virus RNA in serum and features of hepatitis C on liver biopsy were randomized to interferon-alpha2a, 3 mU daily for 12 months (n=8) or no treatment (n=4).

Chronic hepatitis C virus patients with breakthroughs during interferon treatment can successfully be retreated with consensus interferon. The Consensus Interferon Study Group.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C who have not had a sustained hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA response or serum alanine transaminase (ALT) response to a 6-month course of interferon (IFN) may respond to higher dose retreatment with consensus interferon (CIFN). Some nonresponders to initial IFN treatment have a transient response defined as undetectable HCV RNA or normalization of ALT during treatment, but subsequently have a "breakthrough" while still on treatment. The aim of this study was to determine if nonresponders who had breakthroughs responded differently to CIFN retreatment than nonresponders without breakthroughs using data from a large, multicenter trial.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for Budd-Chiari syndrome or portal vein thrombosis: review of indications and problems.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in patients who present with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) or Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS).

Methods: Nine patients with recent PVT and four patients with BCS underwent TIPS. The diagnosis was confirmed by color Doppler ultrasound and by angiogram in most patients.