Association ofIL28Bpolymorphisms with virological response to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C

Aim The objective of the current study was to find baseline predictive factors of response to therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV therapy) in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C. Methods IL28B genotype and mutations in the core of hepatitis C virus (HCV) were analyzed in 30 patients treated with PEG-IFN/RBV for HCV infection. The initial rate of decrease in the viral load was assessed during the first 2 weeks of treatment. Results IL28B major allele was seen more frequently in patients with sustained virologic response (SVR) than in non-SVR patients (P