Infectious Diseases

Biography

Biography: Marianito Asperilla

Abstract

Background: HCV is the most common cause of blood-borne infections and is the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States. Recent advances with sofosbuvir/ribavirin or ledipasvir/sofosbuvir have confirmed to be successful in eradicating HCV with minimal to no side effects versus previous treatment with telaprevir/peg interferon/ribavirin, resulting in discontinuation of therapy due to severe side effects. This study reports clinical management of 40 patients with HCV using sofosbuvir/ribavirin or ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for a reporting period 2013-2015 versus clinical management of 42 patients who were treated with telaprevir/peg interferon/ribavirin based therapy for a reporting period 2011-2013. Results: All 40 patients completed therapy with 37 attaining sustained viral response (SVR) at 12 or 24 weeks. 3 patients did not attain SVR with initial treatment and were placed on ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks and attained SVR at completion. Previous studies indicated 42 completed therapy, with 36 attaining SVR at 24 weeks with telaprevir/peg interferon/ribavirin. Minimal side effects were noted with sofosbuvir/ribavirin. No side effects were noted with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Side effects included 1 patient with anemia, 1 patient with hyperammonemia, and 3 patients with headaches. In comparison to telaprevir/peg interferon/ribavirin based therapy where 7 patients discontinued therapy due to severe side effects consisting of, depression, peptic ulcer disease, hyperammoniemia and extreme thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: The data demonstrated a statistically significant improvement with minimal to no side effects. Previous studies indicate a success rate of 85% with telaprevir/peg interferon/ribavirin. This treatment regimen has proven to be less invasive with a success rate of 92.5% sofosbuvir/ribavirin and 100% ledipasvir/sofosbuvir.