Because there is no effective neutralizing antibody or vaccine for preventing
hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, HCV can be transmitted to health
care workers through accidental needlesticks. In a study reported in the
journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, after the clinical onset of acute
hepatitis, two health care workers who had sustained accidental
needlesticks were treated with interferon (total dose, similar to 300
megaunits). Neither individual developed chronic hepatitis. This finding
raises the possibility that treatment with low-dose interferon following
an accidental needlestick may be beneficial, even when it is started
after the clinical onset of hepatitis. - “Early Therapy with Interferon
for Acute Hepatitis C Acquired Through a Needlestick.” Clinical
Infectious Diseases, May 1997;24(5):992-994.
A more recent study showed 100% 2-year sustained virologic response with alfa interferon monotherapy for acute hepatitis C. In a small study with seven patients, high-dose treatment for one year (5 mil daily for was 12 weeks, followed by 3 MIU 3-times weekly for 40 weeks. This represents a total alfa interferon dose of 780 MIU. The results were that all seven of the seven treated patients (100%) with acute HCV infection had a sustained virologic response two years after completing therapy. By contrast, only two of ten (20%) of those with chronic hepatitis C in the comparative arm achieved a sustained virologic response. The difference was statistically significant (Digestive Disease Week 2000).
