Diagnostic approach to elucidate the efficacy and side effects of direct-acting antivirals in HCV infected patients

Abstract

Introduction: The conventional interferon therapy of hepatitis C virus has been substituted substantially with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir due to constraints in efficacy and tolerability. This study aimed diagnostically to monitor the effectiveness and side effects of direct-acting antivirals in the management of HCV infections.
 Methodology: This prospective study was conducted on HCV-infected patients treated with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir. Different serological, biochemical, hematological, and molecular techniques were used for the assessment of patients. Only treatment-naive patients aged ≥ 18 to 75 years received 12 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was a sustained virologic response with undetectable HCV RNA in the patients’ serum at the end of the treatment.
 Results: We identified 229 cases of confirmed HCV infections by PCR, 94.3% of which had genotype 3. The study population comprised 66% females and 34% males with a median age of 42.2 ± 10.6 SD. Ninety-three percent of the patients accomplished SVR at week 12. The combined therapy of SOF/DAC achieved the highest efficacy rate (92.6%) among the different HCV genotype 3 patients. A statistically significant relationship was observed between low baseline viral load (p < 0.001; 95% CI = 1.2-3.1) and HCV genotype 3 with minor side effects, including lethargy, headache, nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, and fever.
 Conclusions: HCV-infected patients can be treated well with an interferon-free SOF/DAC regimen, tolerated with generally mild adverse effects with a higher SVR.

Antiviral drugs

“…Whereas the highest efficacy rate of 93% was achieved among the combined therapy of SOF/DAC (92.6%) among the different HCV genotype 3 patients. Minor adverse effects reported were lethargy, headache, nausea, insomnia, fever, and diarrhea ( Younas et al, 2021 ) [C]. Overall, the use of sofosbuvir is well-tolerated by most patients but should still be closely monitored when utilized.…”

Analyses of Trace Elements, Arsenic (As), Boron (B), Lead (Pb), Strontium (Sr) and Zinc (Zn), in Human Body and their Correlation with Immune Status Against Viral Infections

“…In all cases, these induced alterations can ultimately manifest as changes in a host ability to recognize and then remove a viral/bacterial challenge. In all cases, these induced alterations can ultimately manifest as changes in a host ability to recognize and then remove a viral/bacterial challenge 11,12 .…”

In silico docking studies of Ag nanoparticles and its derivatives against NS5B protein (HCV): Integrating nanobiotechnology and nanoinformatics

“…Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, classified as a distinct entity in 1989 [32]. Around 71 million people worldwide suffer from HCV, a bloodborne viral infection, with no vaccine available, and chronic infection occurs in 80% of those exposed [33]. The hepatitis C virus is included in the family Flaviviridae.…”