Abstract
Background: Chronic Hepatitis C is common problem worldwide treated by combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin. Retinopathy is one of the side effects of interferon therapy. Aim: determine the frequency and risk factors of retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated by interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in Egypt. Methods and Results: Total 100 patients were enrolled among which, 16 (16%) developed retinopathy in the form of cotton wool spots and 14(14%) developed atypical complications. Conclusion: Retinopathy may occur in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving interferon alpha and ribavirin.
Highlights
Interferons (IFNs) are glycoproteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or tumor cells
The most harmful strain - hepatitis C genotype I virus - can be treated with a 60-80% success rate with the current standard - of -care treatment of interferon-α, ribavirin and recently approved protease inhibitors such as Telaprevir (Incivek) May 2011, Boceprevir (Victrelis) May 2011 or the nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) December 2013[7]
The currently recommended therapy in treating chronic hepatitis C virus patients nowadays is a combination of PegIFN
Summary
Interferons (IFNs) are glycoproteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or tumor cells. A virus-infected cell will release IFNs causing nearby cells to ramp up their anti-viral defenses [1]. More than twenty distinct IFN genes and proteins have been identified in animals, including humans They are typically divided among three classes: Type I IFN, Type II IFN, and Type III IFN. Hepatitis C is treated with IFN-α, often in combination with other antiviral drugs [6]. Chronic Hepatitis C is common problem worldwide treated by combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin. Aim: determine the frequency and risk factors of retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated by interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in Egypt. Conclusion: Retinopathy may occur in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving interferon alpha and ribavirin.
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