Successful treatment of resistant chronic hepatitis c virus infection with high dose pegylated interferon

We present the case of a 49 years old male, who was HCV RNA positive with an ALT of 260, showing no response to standard interferon (INF) plus ribavirin treatment for 48 weeks and to a further therapy with high dose standard IFN plus ribavirin for 24 weeks. Pegylated (PEG) IFN was then started at a dose of 80mcg/week with ribavirin, but proved to be of no avail. Finally, a dose of 120mcg/week of PEG INF and ribavirin was administered for 48 weeks. This resulted in negative HCV RNA PCR after two months and remained undetectable with normal ALT. A six-month follow-up showed a sustained viral response. (author)