Treatment of Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection With Pegylated Interferon in Injection Drug Users

Inclusion Criteria: Documented HCV antibody seroconversion within the 12 months prior to study entry Serum positive for HCV Meets hematologic, biochemical, and serologic criteria at entry visit Thyroid stimulating hormone within normal limits Hepatitis B surface antigen negative Reads at an eighth grade reading level Willing to use adequate contraception for the duration of the study Plans to remain in the study area for 12 months Exclusion Criteria: Positive test for Hepatitis A antibodies, Hepatitis B antibodies, or HIV antibodies Suspected hypersensitivity to pegylated interferon Liver disease Hemoglobinopathies Immune mediated disease Significant cardiac or pulmonary disease Uncontrolled seizure disorder Renal insufficiency with serum creatinine levels greater than 11.5 mb/ml or less than 60 mb/ml History of thyroid disease Active gout Any medical condition requiring or likely to require steroids during the course of study Untreated severe psychiatric disorder, as determined by study psychiatrist Any condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude successful completion of the study Pregnant or breastfeeding