RELATIVE CHANGES IN HEPATITIS-C VIRUS RNA TITRE AND SERUM ALT LEVELS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH INTERFERON AND RIBAVIRIN

Hepatitis C is commonly treated with Interferon and Ribavirin combination therapy. The aim of this study was to find the relative change in the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA titre and serum ala- nine aminotransferase (ALT) levels before, during and after completion of treatment with Interfe- ron (IFN) and Ribavirin therapy in HCV positive patients. Patients and Methods: This cross – sectional descriptive study was conducted from May 2010 to August 2010. Seventy hepatitis C patients reporting to the Laboratory of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, were included in the study. Blood samples were first subjected to centrifugation and stored at –20°C till tested. HCV RNA titre was determined by Real Time PCR while ALT estimation on serum samples was done on Selectra-E by kinetic method. The age, gender and treatment status of the patients was also recorded. Result: In a total of 70 patients, 30% were females while 70% were males. The mean age of pati- ents was 38 ± 11 yrs. On applying, analysis of variance (ANOVA), we found that the change in se- rum ALT level was significant (F = 6.044 and p = 0.004) while it was not significant in case of HCV RNA (F = 1.93 and p = 0.153) treatment with Inj. IFN and Ribavirin. Conclusion: There is a definite decreasing trend in the serum ALT levels while no definite relation- ship of the HCV RNA level to the treatment with combination therapy with IFN and Ribavirin.