Genotype 4 HCV infection is difficult to cure with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Results from a Greek Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: Patients with genotype 4 (G4) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are considered a difficult to treat population, although current data on G4 treatment responsiveness and duration are controversial. Greece represents a country with an intermediate prevalence of G4 infections, offering an opportunity to compare treatment outcomes by genotype and to identify potential prognostic factors for sustained virologic response (SVR).

Methods: All CHC patients from the HepNet.

Natural course of treated and untreated chronic HCV infection: results of the nationwide Hepnet.Greece cohort study.

Background: Interferon (IFN-alpha)-based regimens have been used with varying success in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) for over two decades. The effect of such treatments on the natural course of CHC has been evaluated in small clinical trials with conflicting results.

Aim: To investigate the natural course of IFNalpha-based-treated and untreated patients with CHC by analysing data from the HEPNET.

Hepatitis C virus survival curve analysis in naïve patients treated with peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin. A randomized controlled trial for induction with high doses of peginterferon and predictability of sustained viral response from early virologic data.

Aim: To evaluate the significance of induction with high doses of pegylated interferon -2b (Peg-IFNalpha-2b) and the predictability of sustained virologic response (SVR) in naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: 188 consecutive naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in a randomised controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomised to receive either Peg-IFN -2b 3.

The effect of adherence to therapy on sustained response in daily or three times a week interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin treatment of naive and nonresponder chronic hepatitis C patients.

The aim was to demonstrate adherence to treatment has been suggested to enhance rates of sustained response in patients with hepatitis C. In this study, we evaluated the effect of drug dosage reduction or the duration of the expected therapy in patients treated with interferon (IFN)-alpha2b plus ribavirin. Virologic response rates were re-analysed according to compliance to therapy in (i) 301 naive and (ii) 142 nonresponders to previous IFN therapy treated with either IFN 5 MU TIW for 8 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 40 weeks plus ribavirin or IFN 3 MU QD for 16 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 24 weeks plus ribavirin.

A randomized trial to assess the efficacy of interferon-alpha daily in combination with ribavirin in the treatment of naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C.

A randomized trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN) daily in combination with ribavirin in 301 naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Patients were randomized to receive ribavirin 1.2 g daily (QD) for 48 weeks with either IFN 5 MU (thrice weekly) TIW for 8 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 40 weeks (IFN TIW, n = 154) or IFN 5 MU QD for 8 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU QD for 16 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 24 weeks (IFN QD, n = 147).

A randomized trial to assess the efficacy of interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin in the treatment of interferon alpha nonresponders with chronic hepatitis C: superior efficacy of high daily dosage of interferon alpha in genotype 1.

A randomized trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of daily (QD) or thrice weekly (TIW) administration of interferon-alpha (IFN) in high doses in combination with ribavirin (1.0-1.2 g/day) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who were nonresponders to previous IFN monotherapy.

Yersinia enterocolitica endocarditis: case report and literature review.

Endocarditis is a rare manifestation of Yersinia enterocolitica infection. The case of a 45-year-old man who presented with high fever and in whom prosthetic valve Yersinia enterocolitica endocarditis was diagnosed is described. The patient was successfully treated with ceftriaxone plus tobramycin, as proved by negative cultures of the prosthesis removed at the end of therapy.

Anti-HBs response in seroconverting chronic HBV carriers following alpha-interferon treatment.

The antibody response to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) was studied in 15 chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients who seroconverted following treatment with alpha interferon. The levels of anti-HBs (IU/l) attained were significantly lower than those recorded in patients with convalescent symptomatic or asymptomatic acute infection and in hospital personnel who received a plasma derived HBV vaccine.

Subclasses of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen in chronic HBV infection: changes during treatment with alpha interferons and predictors of response.

Response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers is preceded by the appearance of IgM class anti-HBc (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen). The temporal relationship and magnitude of the IgM anti-HBc response is variable suggesting that the antibody is not directly involved in hepatocyte lysis, but is merely a marker of a changed state of immunity to the nucleocapsid proteins, induced by interferon. IgG 1, 2, 3, and 4 class anti-HBc did not change during therapy, but IgG 3 anti-HBc was significantly lower in responders than non-responders.

Treatment of various infections in an outpatient practice by intramuscular ceftriaxone: home parenteral therapy.

Ceftriaxone, a broad-spectrum third-generation cephalosporin with a long half-life, was administered intramuscularly to 23 outpatients who had a variety of infectious diseases. Cure was achieved in 21 of the patients (91%). The results of this study indicate that ceftriaxone is an effective and well-tolerated antimicrobial agent when administered intramuscularly to outpatients with various infections.

Correlation of haematological, electron microscopic and cytogenetic findings in 20 patients with preleukaemia.

A combined haematological, ultrastructural and chromosomal study was made in 20 patients with preleukaemia. There was evidence of specific correlations between (a) Hb F levels and pancytopenia or profound anaemia, (b) chromosomal and electron microscopic findings and (c) thrombocytosis and ringed sideroblasts. The above findings might be of importance in identifying subgroups of preleukaemic patients with different prognosis.