Skip to main content
ISTH 2023 Main banner
Back

    Poster Networking

    Hemophilia and Rare Bleeding Disorders

    Poster Networking Session

    PB1281 - Natural History of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Korean Hemophilic Cohort

    Tuesday, June 27, 2023
    18:30 – 19:30 ET
    Room: Exhibition

      Co-Author(s)

    • Soyon Kim, PhD., MD.

      director
      Kim & Lee's Internal Medicine Clinic
      Seoul, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

      • Co-Author(s)

    • SL

      Sanghoon Lee

      Professor
      Kim’s & Lee Internal Medicine Clinic
      SEOUL, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

      • Presenting Author(s)

    • Sugi Jeon (she/her/hers)

      Nurse
      Kim’s & Lee Internal Medicine Clinic
      SEOUL, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

      • Co-Author(s)

    • HK

      Hugh Kim

      Professor
      KIM'S & Lee internal medicine clinic
      seoul, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

    Background: HCV infection in hemophiliacs is mostly due to exposures to the contaminated plasma-derived coagulation factors.

    Aims: The purpose of this study is to analyze the natural history of HCV infection with respect to the response to HCV treatment, and the rate of natural immunity against HCV infection in a 171 Korean hemophilic cohort.

    Methods: We have analyzed 171 Korean hemophilic A and B. Their median age was 38 years (10 ~76). Median duration of follow up was 10 years.

    Results: Of 171 patients, 71 (41.5%) patients were HCV seropositive. All of the HCV-seropositive patients were in the age group over 30 years (71 of 118 patients, 60.2%), indicating that they were exposed to the coagulation products prior to the virus inactivation era. Of 71 HCV ab+ patients, 37 patients (52.1%) were previously treated with interferon based regimen and Direct Acting Agent (DAA) without any recurrence. 1 HCV patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) became HCVrna negative after liver transplantation. Remaining 33 (46.5%) HCV ab+ patients had no HCVrna positivity despite no treatment, and therefore, considered to be naturally acquired immunity against HCV. Of 5 HCVrna+ patients, 2 HCVrna+ patients died (1 patient with HCC, 1 patient with inhibitor and bleeding). 3 HCVrna+ patients are waiting for HCV treatment for various reasons.

    Conclusion(s): 171 Korean hemophilic cohort shows 41.5% HCV seropositivity which is somewhat lower than those of North American or European hemophilic population. It is thought to be due to the exposure to products derived from plasma which was less contaminated to HCV in Korea.
    Treatment with interferon containing regimen and DAA showed excellent response. A considerable number of HCV seropositive patients (46.5%) have acquired natural immunity to HCV infection without any treatment. Hemophilic patients should be rigorously screened and treated in early stages of the infection to avoid the serious sequelae of HCV infection.