ABSTRACT
IgG4-associated cholangitis [IAC] is a subgroup of IgG4-related disease, which is more common in elderly men. IAC is frequently coincident with autoimmune pancreatitis [AIP]. However, some IAC cases do not have other organs involvement. The diagnosis of IAC is based on biochemical, radiological, and histological features. Among these, elevated serum levels of IgG4, extra- and intrahepatic biliary strictures [as visualized by cholangiography], lymphoplasmacytic infiltrations in the liver and bile duct tissue, and association with AIP are of key importance. IAC may mimic primary sclerosing cholangitis or cholangiocarcinoma [CC]. It is classically a corticosteroid-responsive condition and corticosteroid is regarded as the initial treatment of choice in this disease. However, relapse following corticosteroid withdrawal is a frequent event
ABSTRACT
Background and aims: pegylation of interferon alfa-2a is a new modality for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PEG IFN in combination with ribavirin in CHC patients
Methods: fifty-seven patients with HGV RNA in serum, persistently elevated ALT and chronic C hepatitis on liver biopsy enrolled to this study. The patients received PEG IFN 180 micg per week plus ribavirin 10- 15 mg/kg per day
Results: HCV RNA was negative in 37 patients [74%] after three months of beginning of study [EVR] and SVR occurred in 50% of all patients
Conclusion: peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin is safe and effective in treatment of naive patients and relapses