Experience with antiviral agents for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients on the kidney wait list

Abstract

Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant patients. The ability to establish a sustained viral response before renal transplant is important for these patients. Direct-acting antiviral agents can increase the sustained viral response in most patients with HCV infection. In this case series, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a combined therapy of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection without cirrhosis and on hemodialysis who were awaiting deceased-donor kidney transplant. Methods Our study included eight male and two female HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA)-positive hemodialysis patients (mean age 50.7 +/- 15 years, mean hemodialysis duration 14 +/- 5.5 years, mean HCV duration 18 +/- 3.7 years). Findings Three patients with genotype 1a received oral therapy with 12.5 mg ombitasvir, 150 mg paritaprevir, 7 5 mg ritonavir, and 250 mg dasabuvir plus 200 mg ribavirin for 12 weeks. Seven patients with genotype 1b received 12.5 mg ombitasvir, 150 mg paritaprevir, 75 mg ritonavir, and 250 mg dasabuvir without ribavirin treatment for 12 weeks. The sustained virologic response rate was 100% at 12 weeks after completion of antiviral treatment in both treatment groups. No serious adverse effects were observed in either treatment group. Five patients had constitutional symptoms such as nausea, anorexia, and fatigue. During the treatment period, hemoglobin, white cell blood count, thrombocyte, and ferritin levels were similar to pretreatment levels. Treatment did not affect weekly erythropoietin and monthly intravenous iron treatment doses. Discussion Direct-acting antiviral agents are safe and effective for generating a sustained viral response in HCV genotype 1-infected hemodialysis patients on kidney wait lists.