Radiographic Evaluations -to exclude mass lesions in the liver. The fibrosis stage and necroinflammatory activity grade provides important prognostic information regarding the HCV disease. Liver biopsy is not needed to confirm the diagnosis of HCV infection or to exclude other causes of liver disease. Liver biopsy is not a prerequisite to HCV treatment. However, biopsy information may be desirable if prognostic information is needed to guide treatment decisions.
Responses appear to be durable in some patients.
Soriano V, et al. Interferon alpha-2b for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. HIV-Hepatitis Spanish Study Group. Interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin is significantly more effective than interferon alone, and combination therapy is the standard of care for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Ribavirin antagonizes the effect of azidothymidine on HIV replication.