Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antiviral Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Among Kidney Transplant Patients

Abstract

<jats:sec> <jats:title>Background:</jats:title> <jats:p>Up to date, there is no consensus on the best combination of direct-acting antiviral to treat hepatitis C virus in kidney transplant recipients.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Objective:</jats:title> <jats:p> This study aims to analyze the efficacy of combination of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir regimen for treatment of hepatitis C virus infected kidney transplant patients.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Method:</jats:title> <jats:p> A cross-sectional study conducted in a nephrology clinic and the Nephrology Center in Basrah Teaching Hospital from June 2015 to June 2018. Ledifos (90 mg Ledipasvir and 400 mg Sofosbuvir fixed-dose) was given as a single daily dose for all the participants for 12 weeks. Response for therapy was tested by follow up hepatitis C virus load at the end of 12 weeks and 24 weeks. The sustained virological response was defined as negative viral load of hepatitis C virus (aviremia) at the end of therapy. This study was done according to the Helsinki Congress.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results:</jats:title> <jats:p> A total of 60 (16 females) patients with renal transplantation and hepatitis C virus infection were included. Mean age was 40±6.2 years. A sustained virological response observed in all of the patients who received Ledifos after 12 and 24 weeks of therapy for all genotypes (1a, 1b and 4); p= 0.0001. Genotype 1a was more prevalent among males, 34 (56.6%); p= 0.0001, and it was the most common genotype tested negative serologically, 11 (18.3%).</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title> <jats:p> Ledifos therapy is effective and safe option for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in the post–renal transplant setting. </jats:p> </jats:sec>