Outbreak of hepatitis C virus infection during sclerotherapy of varicose veins: long-term follow-up of 196 patients (4535 patient-years).

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to describe the natural history of a HCV infection outbreak in 196 patients who had sclerotherapy by a same physician and to confirm patient-to-patient transmission using phylogenetic analysis in a large series of patients.

Methods: Demographic information included clinical and biological parameters. Fibrosis evaluation was performed using liver biopsy or transient elastography.

Daily or three times a week interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin or interferon alone for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral dynamics and on the effect of interferon in blocking virion production have suggested a rationale for daily administration of interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. We compared the efficacy and safety of daily interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin with those of interferon alfa-2b three times a week alone or in combination with ribavirin.

Methods: We randomly assigned 321 patients with chronic hepatitis C to receive standard-dose interferon alfa-2b alone or in combination with ribavirin for 48 weeks or daily interferon alfa-2b (3 million units per day for 12 weeks then 3 million units three times per week for 24 weeks) and ribavirin (36 week treatment).