Chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 6 infection: response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin

BACKGROUND: To date, no study has evaluated pegylated interferon for the treatment of chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6. We aimed to determine the efficacy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for treating infection with genotype 6 versus genotype 1. METHODS: Forty-two patients chronically infected with HCV (for genotype 1, [Formula: see text]; for genotype 6, [Formula: see text]) were treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a ([Formula: see text]) or alpha-2b ([Formula: see text]) combined with oral ribavirin for 48 weeks. RESULTS: There was no difference between genotypes 1 and 6 in the rates of early virological response (76% vs. 81%; [Formula: see text]) and end-of-treatment response (71% vs. 81%; [Formula: see text]). Patients infected with genotype 6 had a higher rate of sustained virological response (SVR) than did patients infected with genotype 1 (86% vs. 52%; [Formula: see text]). The overall adverse-effects profile was similar in both genotype groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of SVR between patients receiving pegylated interferon alpha-2a and those receiving alpha-2b. Multivariate analysis showed that genotype was the only significant factor associated with SVR ([Formula: see text]). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 48 weeks resulted in a significantly higher rate of SVR in patients infected with genotype 6 than in those infected with genotype 1. Further studies are required to determine whether lower dosages and 24 weeks of therapy may be sufficient for the treatment of genotype 6 infection.