The occurrence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura during treatment of HCV with direct-acting antiviral agents

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Amr Hanafy ◽  
◽  
Waseem Seleem ◽  
Salem Mohamed ◽  

Background and aim Experts have reported thrombocytopenia linked to chronic liver disease in up to 70% in patients with advanced fibrosis and portal hypertension. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) occurrence with HCV infection is a rare and life-threatening event. We aimed to investigate the cause of disturbed conscious level, acute hemolytic anemia, and severe thrombocytopenia in a male patient with chronic HCV and under treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Case report: Development of severe thrombocytopenia, acute hemolytic anemia, neurological symptoms in the form of fits and coma in a 32- year- old man with chronic HCV infection after one week of treatment with direct-acting antivirals (sofosbuvir 400mg PO daily, and daclatasvir 60 mg PO daily). Brain CT was normal, with a negative Coombs test and the presence of schistocytes in the peripheral blood smear. The patient presentation was suggestive of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Conclusion: This is a case of TTP after one week of direct-acting antiviral drugs despite the safety profile of these medications. Studying the pathophysiology of TTP after DAAs needs more clarifications.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Mikolasevic ◽  
Tajana Filipec Kanizaj ◽  
Dorotea Bozic ◽  
Petra Puz ◽  
Sanja Stojsavljevic ◽  
...  

Background:: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease with chronically infected making up approximately 1% of the global population. Of those infected, 70% (55-85%) will develop chronic HCV infection. Chronic HCV infection causes substantial morbidity and mortality, with complications including cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and eventually death. Objective:: Therapeutic options for chronic HCV infection have evolved dramatically since 2014, with a translation from pegylated interferon and ribavirin (associated with suboptimal cure and high treatment-related toxicity) to oral direct-acting antiviral treatment. There are four classes of direct-acting antivirals which differ by their mechanism of action and therapeutic target. They are all pointed to proteins that form the cytoplasmic viral replication complex. Multiple studies have demonstrated that direct-acting antiviral therapy is extremely well tolerated, highly efficacious, with few side effects. Methods:: We performed an indexed MEDLINE search with keywords regarding specific direct-acting antiviral regimes and their pharmacokinetics, drug drug interactions, and metabolism in specific settings of pregnancy, lactation, liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation and HCC risk, kidney failure and kidney transplantation. Results:: We present a comprehensive overview of specific direct-acting antivirals metabolism and drug drug interaction issues in different settings. Conclusion:: Despite its complex pharmacokinetics and possibility of drug drug interactions, direct-acting antivirals extremely high efficacy in providing viral clearance is an obvious advantage compared to possible interactions or side effects. They should be administered cautiously in patients with other comorbidities, and with a tight control of immunosuppressive therapy.


2020 ◽  
pp. 089719002097776
Author(s):  
Kayla M. Natali ◽  
Humberto R. Jimenez ◽  
Jihad Slim

Background Coadministration of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and first generation anticonvulsants is currently not recommended due to a drug-drug interaction that could potentially lead to subtherapeutic DAA levels and subsequent treatment failure. Currently, there is limited data evaluating this interaction and timely treatment of HCV infection with DAAs is imperative to prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality. Methods A retrospective case series evaluating clinical cure of chronic HCV infection, defined as sustained virologic response (SVR) 12 weeks after completion of DAA therapy, in patients from three inner-city clinics who remained on first generation anticonvulsants during the treatment course. Results A total of five patients received standard dose DAAs for treatment of chronic HCV infection while being maintained on first generation anticonvulsants. The most common HCV genotype was 1a (80%), followed by 1b (20%). The majority of patients were treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (80%) for eight weeks and one patient was treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. Anticonvulsant regimens consisted of carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenytoin plus phenobarbital, phenytoin plus levetiracetam, and phenobarbital plus lacosamide. All five patients achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) despite this drug-drug interaction. Conclusion Although every effort to prevent concomitant use of DAAs and potent inducers should be made, clinical cure may still be achieved in patients whom cannot avoid this coadministration.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Han Cheng ◽  
Chia-Ying Chu ◽  
Huan-Lin Chen ◽  
I-Tsung Lin ◽  
Chia-Hsien Wu ◽  
...  

Background and AimsChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with dysregulation of glucose homeostasis, including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. However, independent risk factors associated with IR in chronic HCV-infected patients have not been detailly elucidated. Previous data regarding the impact of HCV elimination by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) on glucose homeostasis is insufficient and controversial. This study aimed to analyze the independent factors associated with IR and to evaluate the changes in glucose homeostasis in chronic HCV-infected patients treated with DAAs therapies.MethodsWe screened 704 patients with chronic HCV infection who underwent treatment with interferon-free DAAs. Patients’ baseline characteristics, biochemical and virological data were collected. The outcome measurements were their IR and β-cell function assessed by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method at baseline and 12-weeks post-treatment.ResultsHigh IR (HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5) was observed in 35.1% of the patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2, treatment experience, elevated baseline levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglyceride, as well as Fibrosis-4 score >3.25 were independently associated with high IR. In patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR), no significant change in mean HOMA-IR was observed from baseline to 12-weeks post-treatment (2.74 ± 2.78 to 2.54 ± 2.20, p = 0.128). We observed a significant improvement in β-cell secretion stress from 121.0 ± 110.1 to 107.6 ± 93.0 (p = 0.015). Subgroup analysis revealed that SVR was associated with a significant reduction in mean HOMA-IR in patients with baseline HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5 (5.31 ± 3.39 to 3.68 ± 2.57, p < 0.001), HCV genotype 1 (3.05 ± 3.11 to 2.62 ± 2.05, p = 0.027), and treatment experience (4.00 ± 3.37 to 3.01 ± 2.49, p = 0.039).ConclusionsThere were several independent factors associated with IR in patients with chronic HCV infection, including obesity, treatment experience, high serum ALT and triglyceride levels, as well as advanced hepatic fibrosis. After viral elimination by DAAs, we observed a significant reduction in mean HOMA-IR in patients with baseline high IR, HCV genotype 1, and treatment experience.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Brouard ◽  
Josiane Pillonel ◽  
Marjorie Boussac ◽  
Victor de Lédinghen ◽  
Antoine Rachas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by 2030, as targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO), requires that 90% of people with chronic infection be diagnosed and 80% treated. We estimated the cascade of care (CoC) for chronic HCV infection in mainland France in 2011 and 2016, before and after the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Methods The numbers of people (1) with chronic HCV infection, (2) aware of their infection, (3) receiving care for HCV and (4) on antiviral treatment, were estimated for 2011 and 2016. Estimates for 1) and 2) were based on modelling studies for 2011 and on a virological sub-study nested in a national cross-sectional survey among the general population for 2016. Estimates for 3) and 4) were made using the National Health Data System. Results Between 2011 and 2016, the number of people with chronic HCV infection decreased by 31%, from 192,700 (95% Credibility interval: 150,900-246,100) to 133,500 (95% Confidence interval: 56,900-312,600). The proportion of people aware of their infection rose from 57.7 to 80.6%. The number of people receiving care for HCV increased by 22.5% (representing 25.7% of those infected in 2016), while the number of people on treatment increased by 24.6% (representing 12.1% of those infected in 2016). Conclusions This study suggests that DAAs substantially impact CoC. However, access to care and treatment for infected people remained insufficient in 2016. Updating CoC estimates will help to assess the impact of new measures implemented since 2016 as part of the goal to eliminate HCV.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdel Wahab ◽  
Ahmed Shehta ◽  
Mahmoud Ali

Introduction: Direct-acting antiviral drugs have been recently introduced for management of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. Those medications have achieved a dramatic improvement of sustained virologic response (SVR) reaching almost 90%. However, reports regarding the increased risk of occurrence or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic HCV patients who achieved SVR after direct-acting antiviral drugs are controversial.Methods: We report two cases of giant HCCs complicating chronic HCV infection after direct-acting antiviral drugs-based therapies and were managed by major hepatic resection.Results: Two male patients with chronic HCV infection received several regimens oral direct acting antiviral drugs with a SVR for 3 and 6 months, respectively. They complained of progressive right hypochondrial pain and abdominal enlargement. Two large HCCs were diagnosed (16.2 cm * 17.6 cm * 16.9 cm, and 18 cm * 13 cm * 16.5 cm in dimensions) with markedly elevated serum alpha feto-protein (36,000 and 7,000 ng/ml, respectively). Due to the presence of adequate residual liver volume, the decision was to proceed for surgical resection. Central hepatectomy and extended right hemi-hepatectomy were performed, respectively. Patients had smooth postoperative course and were discharged after 10 and 9 days, respectively.Conclusion: The relationship between direct-acting antiviral drugs and HCC is controversial. Those cases add support to the accumulating literature suggesting the relationship of HCC development in chronic HCV patients receiving direct-acting antiviral drugs. Further prospective studies with adequate long term follow up are needed to prove or disprove this relationship.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 531-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Fabrizi ◽  
Francesca M. Donato ◽  
Piergiorgio Messa

The frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains high in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and plays a detrimental role in mortality in this population. According to the latest survey, the adjusted hazard ratio for HCV-positive versus HCV-negative patients on long-term dialysis was 1.12 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.20) and 1.10 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.22) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. An impairment on quality of life has also been documented in HCV-infected patients undergoing regular dialysis. Most clinicians have been so far reluctant to treat hepatitis C in patients with advanced CKD, due to concerns regarding low efficacy and safety of interferon-based regimens. The advent of all-oral, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized treatment paradigms for HCV, including patients with other comorbidities such as CKD. Two combinations of DAAs have been recently approved for the treatment of HCV in advanced CKD: elbasvir/grazoprevir (evaluated in 1 randomized controlled trial) and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir with or without ribavirin (examined in some observational, single-arm studies). These antiviral combinations have provided high safety and efficacy (SVR12 rates >90%) in HCV-infected patients with stage 4–5 CKD. Sofosbuvir, a nucleotide analogue inhibitor of the HCV NS5B polymerase, is the cornerstone of most anti-HCV current regimens but is not currently recommended for patients with severe renal insufficiency (eGFR <30 mL/min per 1.73 m2). However, several small-sized studies have been published on the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir-based regimens for patients with hepatitis C on maintenance dialysis>; overall, the viral response was satisfactory (SVR12 rates ranging between 58% and 100%) with a few drug-related drop-outs. Studies are in progress to assess whether ribavirin-free antiviral combinations with novel DAAs are a viable option for patients with severe renal impairment and chronic HCV infection.


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