Quantification of Core Antigen Monitors Efficacy of Combination Therapy of Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir and Ribavirin in Egyptian Cirrhotic Patients with HCV Infection as an Alternative to PCR

Abstract

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem throughout the world. Acute HCV infection is asymptomatic in most cases, and only 15% of cases are symptomatic,but Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) shows a variable clinical course, ranging from mild histopathological changes to active hepatitis and the development of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC. The aim of this work is to detect accuracy of core antigen in Egyptian cirrhotic patients with HCV Infection treated with combination therapy of Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir and Ribavirin as an alternative to PCR. Patients and methods: The study included20 Egyptian treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis C patients with cirrhosis (Cirrhosis was diagnosed on ultrasound basis) on Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir and Ribavirin. Results Treatment with sofosbuvir plus Daclatasvir and Ribavirin for 12 weeks resulted in undetectable HCV RNA by PCR in 95% (19/20) of the patients at the end of treatment and only 5% (1/20) of the patients achieved SVR after 6 months not 3(both HCV RNA AND HCV Core Antigen tests were negative for all patients). Conclusion: In our study there was a correlation between HCV RNA and HCV core antigen results, so HCV core antigen can be used as an alternative marker to HCV RNA in treatment of HCV infected cirrhotic patients receiving Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir and Ribavirin.during treatment and for monitoring its efficacy.