A randomized trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN) daily in combination with ribavirin in 301 naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Patients were randomized to receive ribavirin 1.2 g daily (QD) for 48 weeks with either IFN 5 MU (thrice weekly) TIW for 8 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 40 weeks (IFN TIW, n = 154) or IFN 5 MU QD for 8 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU QD for 16 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 24 weeks (IFN QD, n = 147). Treatment discontinuation rates, because of adverse events, were similar in the two arms (14.9% in IFN TIW and 14.3% in IFN QD, P = 0.87). The proportion of patients with sustained virological response (SVR) was 27.9% for patients treated TIW and 38.8% for those treated QD (P = 0.046). According to logistic regression analysis, patients in the IFN QD arm had 1.7 times higher probability of achieving SVR, than those receiving IFN TIW (P = 0.038). Low baseline viral load (P = 0.017) and genotype non-1 (P = 0.036) were associated with higher SVR rates. Combination of IFN/ribavirin for 48 weeks is more effective when IFN is administered daily for the first 24 weeks in naïve patients with CHC.

This study reports on the authors' experience with acute rheumatic fever (ARF) during the years 1980–1997. The objectives were to estimate the incidence of the disease an area of Greece to characterize its epidemiology, to determine the frequency of the antecedent symptoms and to describe its clinical presentation. The medical records of 66 confirmed cases admitted to the First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, were reviewed. Two outbreaks occurred during this period. In contrast to the 3–4 cases seen every year, 14 cases were diagnosed during the 6 mo period from October 1989 to March 1990. An additional 10 cases were diagnosed in 1993. Most of the children (76%) were between 8 and 14 y old. The children were predominantly from middle‐class families with ready access to medical care. Carditis, evident by auscultation, and arthritis were the dominant major manifestations in 70% and 68% of the cases, respectively. Mild carditis was present in 54% of children with valvular disease. Conclusion: ARF exists in the paediatric Greek population with exacerbations and remissions, but the cardiac manifestations appear mild or moderate.

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