Sustained HCV-RNA response and HBs-seroconversion after individualized antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin and active vaccination in an HCV/HBV-coinfe…

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is frequently associated with progressive liver disease. Treatment options are limited and no data on the efficacy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy are available. We report a case of a 49-year old woman with chronic hepatitis B and C who was scheduled for a 48 weeks course of pegylated interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin therapy. She had HCV genotype 2 infection and was negative for HBV-DNA and HBeAg before treatment. While the HCV-RNA response was rapid until week 12, HBsAg levels showed a more linear decline. At week 48, HBsAg was sti…