Afro-Egypt J Infect Endem Dis 2011 Dec ;1(2):A4

 

Recent Guidelines for Treatment of HCV

 

Heikal O

 

Military Medical Academy,Egypt

 

                              

 

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of HCV in Egypt is 9% with 70000-140000 new infections each year and the mortality from liver diseases is 40000 deaths per year. The goal of treatment of chronic HCV is sustained virological response (SVR) which means PCR negative 6 months after end of combined treatment by interferon and ribavirin . Patients with negative PCR at 4 , 12 ,24 , 48 weeks of therapy and SVR have 98% cure from the virus. Pre-treatment assessment includes: HCV RNA by PCR, liver biopsy , elastography or Actitest and Fibrotest( when validated to substitute liver biopsy) , genotype assessment, abdominal ultrasonography , alpha fetoprotein , history of alcohol intake and detection of auto-antibodies.