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Christian Chuard

Publications and source records attributed to Christian Chuard.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Barriers to interferon-alpha therapy are higher in intravenous drug users than in other patients with acute hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) may eradicate HCV in most acute hepatitis C patients, thus preventing chronic hepatitis and avoiding less efficacious combination therapy. METHODS: In a prospective study, we evaluated the impact of barriers to successful start and completion of treatment of acute and subacute (<12 months from infection) hepatitis C with pegylated IFN-alpha2b, 1.5 microg/kg, QW, for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Out of 27 patients (22 were active intravenous drug users [IVDU]), 5 cleared HCV spontaneously. Antiviral treatment was indicated in 22 patients: six refused therapy for fear of side effects, whereas two others were lost to observation. Eight patients completed the treatment or received >80% of the scheduled drug: seven (88%) were sustained virological responders 24 weeks after the end of treatment. Six patients (all IVDU) stopped prematurely due to side effects: only one had a sustained virological response. Based on an intent-to-treat analysis, and considering all 14 patients in whom at least one dose of drug was administered, only 8 (57%) became sustained virological responders. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of acute hepatitis C with pegylated IFN-alpha is highly beneficial, but its effectiveness is affected by a poor rate of acceptance and/or adherence to currently available regimens, especially in IVDU and women.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

[Prevention of secondary cases of invasive meningococcal infection: role of chemoprophylaxis and vaccination].

Prevention of secondary cases of invasive meningococcal disease is based on the rapid administration of chemoprophylaxis and depending on circumstances, conjugate vaccine against group C meningococci. The targeted group is close contacts of the patient, mainly household members. When two or more cases take place in schools, chemoprophylaxis and vaccination are offered to classmates and teachers. First-line antimicrobials are quinolones for adults, rifampin for children and ceftriaxone for pregnant and lactating women. Three highly efficacious (> 90%) conjugate vaccines that provide long-lasting protection have been recently made available in Switzerland.

Adolescent↗