Chronic hepatitis C treatment in a cystic fibrosis patient in the pulmonary pre-transplant stage

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2010 Oct;102(10):587-90. doi: 10.4321/s1130-01082010001000004.

Abstract

The standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C, pegylated interferon and ribavirin (pegI/R), has many limitations in both effectiveness and secondary effects, which makes it unsuitable or even contraindicated for some patients. In hepatitis C virus-infected cystic fibrosis patients this treatment could increase respiratory infections with subsequent pulmonary function deterioration. On the contrary, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may make lung transplant (LT) unfeasible. We present the case of a cystic fibrosis-young man diagnosed with HCV infection during LT assessment who was treated with pegI/R. In spite of the lung function worsening and respiratory infections, he managed to complete treatment and even sustained virological response (SVR). At present he is on LT waiting list.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / surgery*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferons / therapeutic use
  • Liver / pathology
  • Lung Transplantation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Portal System / pathology
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin
  • Interferons