EFFECTS OF OFLOXACIN FOR TYPE-C HEPATITIS

Interferon (IFN) is now used commonly for the treatment of type C hepatitis; however, the effects of IFN are variable. In patients having HCV-K1, complete response with IFN treatment was observed only in a limited number of patients (less than 25%). These results indicate that a combination therapy of IFN with virucidal drugs may be beneficial, especially in patients having the KI genotype, which appears to be more difficult to treat than other forms. In the present study, the effects of ofloxacin (OFLX) on hepatitis C were analyzed. In five patients with chronic hepatitis and four patients with cirrhosis, various doses (100 to 900 mg per day) of OFLX were given for 1 to 8 weeks. HCV-RNA encoding the NS5 region became negative and the titers of HCV decreased in three patients, who were given more than 600 mg of OFLX, with a concomitant decrease in serum transaminase (ALT) activity. In two patients, a combination therapy with IFN and OFLX was tried. In these patients, HCV-RNA disappeared from the blood after administration of OFLX. These results suggest that possibility that a combination therapy with IFN and OFLX may be effective for hepatitis C, even in patients having the KI genotype, and indicate a necessity of further studies in a larger number of patients.