Sustained virological response against hepatitis C virus in a patient with Down's syndrome treated with interferon-β

Abstract

A woman with Down's syndrome who developed liver damage due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following surgery in childhood to treat a ventricular septal defect was treated with anti-HCV therapy. At age 25, liver function test suggested liver cirrhosis, and her heart condition was good. Since her prognosis was thought to be dependent on the course of the hepatitis C, she was treated with interferon (IFN) as an anti-HCV therapy. Achieving sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with Down's syndrome is known to be rare. However, she achieved SVR after 48 weeks of IFN-β monotherapy. Findings of HCV genotype 2a and a viral load of 3.2 log IU/mL are expected to be related to the good response to IFN, despite progressed liver fibrosis. Moreover, compliance with IFN-β administration was good. The prognosis for patients with Down's syndrome has recently improved. Anti-HCV therapy needs to be adapted for these patients, and IFN-β may be a suitable drug of choice.