1. Introduction
infection with HCV is considered a major global health problem, especially in the developing world (1, 2). This is because such an infection might predispose the patient to serious consequences such as liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure (3, 4). The classical treatment of chronic HCV infection consists of a combination regimen of interferon and ribavirin for 24 to 48 weeks, according to HCV genotypes. This regimen was fraught with undesirable side effects such as continuous fever, depression, etc. Also, such a regimen was contraindicated in some groups of patients such as organ transplant (5). A momentous breakthrough has been made in the management of HCV with the use of DDAs with high success rate of SVR. The US food and drug administration (FDA) approved DAAs, and these drugs are being used in America and some European countries. Sofosbuvir is a polymerase inhibitor and the first drug to come on the market. It has been used in combination with interferon and ribavirin for duration of 12 weeks. The high cost of such a combination limited its use, especially in developing countries. A 12-week course of such a combination has a cost of 84 000 USD in the United States, 54 000 USD in the United Kingdom and 116 910 USD in Spain (6). There is limited experience regarding the use of DAAs and their interactions with other medications. Here, we reported on a case of SVR achievement after six weeks of treatment with triple therapy with interferon, ribavirin and sofosbuvir. Prior to the initiation of treatment, the patient received eltrombopag to increase the platelet count. The treatment was stopped at the sixth week due to the development of depression and low albumin levels. However, HCV-real time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) tests were negative 12 and 24 weeks after the cessation of treatment.
2. Case Presentation
A 57-year-old female was referred to the infectious disease unit of Azadi hospital, Duhok, Iraq with a history of chronic HCV. The patient had previously received pegylated interferon with ribavirin but failed to achieve SVR. Blood tests showed elevated Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (93 U/l) and Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (43 U/L), low platelet count (43×109) and serum albumin (3.3) and elevated INR (2.1) (Table 1). Hepatitis C Virus RTPCR showed viral load of 10 000 IU/mL of genotype 4, which is the most common genotype in our region (7). Liver biopsy has notorious reputation in our society and therefore the patient refused to conduct it. This case was challenging because of the low platelet count. Eltrombopag 25mg qday was prescribed to elevate the platelet count. Based upon the availability and cost, it was decided to treat the patient with pegylated interferon 180 µg, ribavirin 1000 mg and sofosbuvir 400 mg. The platelet count was corrected to higher than 80×109 before starting the treatment. Four weeks later, the patient complained of mild depression and fatigability and the investigation showed negative HCV-RTPCR and improved ALT levels and INR (Table 1). However, a reduction in albumin level was noticed and ultrasound examination showed mild ascites. The treatment was continued and the patient was followed up weekly. Two weeks later, the patient complained of severe depression and refused to continue the treatment. All medications were stopped including eltrombopag. Four weeks later, the depression had subsided and the patient was well, clinically. Albumin level was 3.2 and ultrasound showed no ascites. All investigations were repeated 12 weeks after stopping the treatment (Table 1). It was shown that HCV-RTPCR was still negative with improvement in the levels of albumin. Real Time-PCR was repeated 24 weeks after cessation of the treatment and it was still negative.
Table 1.
Patient Monitoring and Selected Laboratory Results
| Tests | Before Treatment | During Treatment | 12 weeks After Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Weeks | 6 Weeks | |||
| RTPCR | 10000 | Negative | Negative | Negative |
| ALT | 93 | 17 | 16 | 22 |
| AST | 43 | 60 | 46 | 54 |
| Albumin | 3.3 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 3.1 |
| INR | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 2.4 |
| platelet | 43 | 80 | 74 | 56 |
3. Discussion
Chronic HCV infection might be associated with the development of hepatic failure, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (1, 2). With the emergence of new direct-acting antiviral agents, the mainstream treatment of HCV has changed toward better tolerability and higher cure rate in comparison with the classical regimen that consisted of interferon with ribavirin. However, the high cost of DAAs limited their use especially in developing countries (8-10). Here, we presented a case with previous classical interferon and ribavirin treatment failure, who was referred to our infectious disease unit for further management. Initial investigations showed HCV-RTPCR positive results with a low viral load. The patient was treated with a triple regimen of interferon, ribavirin and sofosbuvir. This case was treated for six weeks and medications were ceased due to adverse events. However, half course (6 weeks) treatment was enough to eradicate HCV as RTPCR tests were negative, 12 and 24 weeks after the cessation of treatment. It was noticed that the pretreatment viral load was low and this may explain the successful treatment with a shorter course of medications. Further studies are needed to confirm this observation and if approved it may help to relieve the high costs of DAAs.
Eltrombopag binds to thrombopoietin receptor and stimulates the proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes and hence platelet production in a dose-dependent manner (11). The patients with liver cirrhosis produced by hepatitis C virus have thrombocytopenia. Eltrombopag increases the platelet count and allows the initiation of therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and, in a significant proportion of patients, completes the proposed therapy for 12 weeks (11). This patient was taking eltrombopag that could have contributed to the low albumin level through an unknown interaction or reaction to the drug. There is a need for more studies about the safety of the use of new DAA medications with Eltrombopag
