Abstract

CRUZ, A.; LIMA, S. C.  and  COTTER, J.. Dupla hepatite aguda por vírus da hepatite C. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2006, vol.13, n.6, pp.287-290. ISSN 0872-8178.

The authors report a case of an intravenous drug user diagnosed with acute hepatitis C virus (genotype 3a). After initial improvement when treatment was begun, sudden decompensation occurred, compatible with the onset of a new acute hepatitis C virus (genotype 1a). The patient had continued using intravenous drugs. Clinical recovery and normalisation of laboratory values were achieved with continuation of the initial therapy. Six months later, treatment had to be discontinued because of the patient’s severe depression. Nevertheless, thirty-six months after treatment was stopped, serum HCV RNA levels were undetectable, ALT levels were normal and the patient was symptom free. This case shows a rare clinical course, namely double acute sequential infection by different genotypes of hepatitis C virus with the second infection occurring during treatment with interferon. This once again highlights the importance of drug abstinence.

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