Efficacy of Sofosbuvir plus Ribavirin in treatment of cirrhotic patients with HCV genotype 2 and 3 infections in Pakistan

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis. Adjunctive therapy of ribavirin and interferon is commonly used against HCV infection, but it has wide diverse side effects. Currently, there is an urgent need for the development of new alternate therapy for combating HCV infections. This study is aimed to assess the efficacy of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin treatment in HCV cirrhotic patients (genotypes 2 and 3), viral drug response and to prevent progression of cirrhosis by eradication of HCV. Sample of 62 HCV cirrhotic patients were collected from the Gastroenterology ward of local hospital. Multiplex and real-time PCR were used to determine the genotypes and viral load respectively. The subjects were divided into two groups; A and B; A (HCV genotype 2), B (HCV genotype 3) infections. Group A and B received sofosbuvir (400 mg daily) plus ribavirin (200 mg twice daily) for 3 and 6 months respectively. The blood samples were further analyzed for the presence of viral RNA.Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) was shown by 88.70% of HCV cirrhotic patients. Group A patients (genotype 2) disclosed a good response to sofosbuvir (SVR 92%) as compared to group B (genotype 3; 88%). The SVR of group B patients was 70% and 88% after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment respectively. Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin may be prescribed for the treatment of HCV genotype 2 (3-months) and genotype 3 patients (6-months) with liver cirrhosis.