HCV Genotype 6

Hello! I need some help finding a doctor that knows and has had patients who have hepatitis c genotype 6. My mom has cirrhosis of the liver and she has only two options from doctors who have no clue about genotype 6. Take meds or a liver transplant. I would love for her to try out the medicine, but their is one problem how do these doctors know how much and what to give her if they have never had patients with genotype 6. I don't want her to be the test. Shes my mom and I want her to live a happy healthy life. We live in Grand Prairie Texas and will make the drive 4hours to see someone who has a clue about this type of hepatitis. I would LOVE the help!!!!

[Trinity4]

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2009icr/ddw/docs/061909_a.html

http://infectious-diseases.jwatch.org/cgi/content/long/2003/509/4

[HectorSF]

Depending on how ill your mother is she will need to talk meds until she because to ill and will need a liver transplant. It is not either or. She needs to do both.

How ill is she? Does she have any complications? Does she get bloated in her abdomen and ankles and feet. Has she thrown up blood? Is she confused and disorientated?

At some point you will need to have her get listed at liver transplant client in a large town near you if she can't wipe out the hep C virus. They will also know about genotype 6. But the main point is that she has developed cirrhosis from HCV. It doesn't matter which genotype she is as the damage in done. Unless she has stable compensated cirrhosis she might have time to try treatment. Only a hepatologist who sees her will know.

Genotype 6:
Common in Asia.

     •        There was no significant difference between genotypes 1 and genotype 6 patients with regard to rates of early virological response (76% vs 81%; P > 0.05).

    • This was also the case for end-of-treatment response (71% for genotype 1 vs 81% for genotype 6; P > 0.05).

    • However, patients with genotype 6 had a higher rate of sustained virological response (SVR, or continued undetectable HCV RNA 6 months after completion of therapy) than those with genotype 1 (86% vs 52%; P = 0.019).

    • There was no significant difference in the SVR rate between patients receiving Pegasys versus PegIntron.

    • In a multivariate analysis, genotype was the only significant factor associated with SVR (P = 0.039).

    • The overall adverse events profile was similar in the genotype 1 and genotype 6 groups.

In conclusion, the study authors wrote, "Treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 48 weeks resulted in a significantly higher rate of SVR in patients infected with genotype 6 than in those infected with genotype 1."

hectorsf

[HectorSF]

Baylor Regional Transplant Institute in Dallas may be the best transplant center nearby.
Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas
Phone: [phone]
Baylor is one of the four largest adult liver transplant centers in the nation.
Survival rates for Baylor liver and kidney transplant recipients exceed the national average as published by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

OR

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Best -
hectorsf

[HopeMom]

Thank you so very much for the information! My mom has swelling in her ankles, but not much in her abdomen. She goes in for an MRI next week.  They found some cysts in her liver, but so far no signs of cancer.  She has some blood work being done to check again. She hasn't got confused or disoriented as far as I know. The last time we went to the dr. (which was 3 months ago) they said she was compensated. Would the dr. offer meds if they didn't think she could take them? She also has rheumatoid arthritis. Right now she feels real dizzy and nauseous. She has a mild fever.  My mom is only 56yrs old. I hate this for her...You don't know how much this means to me for your help. Thank you again!

[orphanedhawk]

I was in Thailand when I was diagnosed. They have genotype 6 there and they do the same interferon treatment as we do here.

As Hector pointed out, she needs to see a good heptalogist.
If she is healthy enough, she needs to start treatment.
Good luck,
OH

[HectorSF]

"they said she was compensated" That is a very good thing to hear!
She should be healthy enough to still do treatment. !!! Next time you talk to the doc ask about treatment. Once she passes the threshold into decompensation then the options are more limited. I.E. transplant.
If you can please get an appointment at one of the hospitals in Dallas. They will know how to treat your mother's illness. And she will get state of the art care.

"Would the dr. offer meds if they didn't think she could take them"?
I'm not sure what you mean here? What meds do they want her to take?

Best of luck! Let us know as things develop.
Glad you posted here so we can help to steer you in the right direction.
Hectorsf

[Mani071207]

My mom have same problem , let me know your advise