Two cases of acute hepatitis type C that improved with multidisciplinary therapy and interferon

Abstract

The first case was a male in his 30's who was taking an antiepileptic agent for the treatment of lifelong epilepsy. He was being treated at a local clinic but developed severe liver dysfunction and lowered consciousness. Prothrombin time activity was less than 40% with grade II hepatic encephalopathy. He was diagnosed with acute liver failure due to hepatitis C virus (HCV). The route of infection was uncertain. The second case was a male in his 30's. He had been infected with HCV tainted blood and developed acute hepatitis type C (AHC). After admission, low prothrombin activity continued, and icterus was prolonged. Both cases were done with immediate multidisciplinary therapy including interferon (IFN), leading to significant improvement. After overcoming the acute stage IFN was continued for 24 weeks and persistent HCV infection was prevented in both cases. It was suggested that IFN was a useful treatment for acute liver failure due to HCV or AHC.