Neutropenia during combination therapy of interferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C

摘要: Interferon therapy of hepatitis C causes a decrease in neutrophil counts, and neutropenia is common reason for dose adjustment or early discontinuation. However, it unclear whether caused by interferon associated with an increased rate infection. In this study, we assessed factors clinical consequences before during chronic C. A total 119 patients treated the combination alfa ribavirin were analyzed. these studies, was not used as exclusion modification criterion. multivariate analysis, only black race baseline neutropenia. During treatment, counts decreased average 34%. Among 3 blacks without cirrhosis splenomegaly, there little no (despite typical decreases platelet lymphocyte counts). Documented suspected bacterial infections developed 22 (18%), but patient United States population estimates suggest that 76,000 have below 1,500 cells/μL might be denied if criterion generally applied. conclusion, frequent treatment ribavirin, usually Constitutional neutropenia, which among blacks, should exclude from minimal further on are excessively prone to infections.