Hepatitis C in Hemophiliac Patients

Abstract

Hemophiliac patients carry a high risk for blood born viruses particularly hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. With introducing the new therapeutic modalities for HIV infection, the role of HCV in mortality and morbidity has been more prominent. HIV co-infection is a wellknown factor that accelerates the progression of liver injury leading to end stage liver failure. Screening of hemophiliacs has a great importance, since infected patients must be marked, evaluated, followed, and treated if required as soon as possible. The clinicians must periodically screen the patients for anti-HCV Ab in serum. Anti-HCV seropositive cases must be tested for HCV RNA. In addition, HCV genotype identification has a main role in making therapeutic decisions. Combination therapy with Interferon plus Ribavirin is recommended to treat HCV infected patients, and seems to have the comparable results in hemophiliacs as in general HCV infected patients. Recently, a new long acting generation of Interferon called Peg-IFN has been introduced showing better efficacy.