Pegylated Interferon Therapy for Acute Hepatitis C Infection in HIV-infected Patients

Inclusion Criteria: Documented acute hepatitis C infection with detectable HCV-RNA (PCR-assay) and elevated serum alanine transferase (ALT) levels. An acute infection is defined by fulfilling two of the following 3 criteria within the preceding four months: known or suspected exposure to HCV, documented seroconversion to positivity for antibodies against HCV, a serum alanine transferase (ALT) level of more than 350 U/l with a documented normal level during the year before infection. Documented HIV-infection CD4 cells > 300 /µl Ability to understand and sign a written consent form Women of child-bearing age: negative pregnancy test Exclusion Criteria: Autoimmune hepatitis or other autoimmune disease Decompensated liver disease Decompensated renal disease, i.e. creatinine clearance < 50 ml/min, according to Cockcroft-Gault Acute or chronic hepatitis B infection Acute infection with hepatitis A or other hepatotropic viruses New AIDS defining event less than 1 month prior to enrolment Malignancy other than cutaneous kaposi sarcoma treated with systemic chemo-therapy History of severe psychiatric conditions, in particular severe depression History of seizures History of organ transplantation Thyroid disease not medically compensable Severe heart disease Severe retinopathy Known allergy to the study drug or one of the galenic compounds Hypersensitivity to interferon a Thrombocytes < 90 G/l, neutrophils < 1.5 G/l, hemoglobin must not be < 12g/dl (female) or < 13 g/dl (male) Treatment with corticosteroids less than 3 months prior to enrolment Alcohol abuse or use of other recreational drugs Older than 65 years of age, younger than 18 years of age Pregnancy, breast-feeding