Individual Human Clinical Case Studies
Acute Hepatitis C
This Report documents the progression of acute hepatitis C in a patient treated specifically for this disease. Although the origin of the infection is unclear, the patient most likely acquired the disease nosocomially (the patient had been hospitalized previously for abdominal surgery). The treatment consisted of injections of pegylated interferon alpha-2a (“Pegasys”), carried out together with the administration of ribavirin and VFI Humic Acid®.
The patient was a male Caucasian, age 25, in otherwise-excellent condition. The patient’s overall physical appearance was that of a fit and muscular individual.
Interferon was begun on Day 6–a Friday–following the initial diagnosis, and was continued thereafter once per week (Fridays) for 5 months. The dose was 1 mL, corresponding to 180 mg.
Ribavirin treatment (200 mg/tablet) was begun simultaneously with interferon administration. The dose was 3 tablets in the morning and 3 tablets in the evening, which was continued for 4 months. The dose was then reduced to 2 tablets in the morning and 2 tablets in the evening for an additional month.
VFI Humic Acid® was administered in tablet form (250 mg/tablet), commencing with the onset of presentation of symptoms. Two tablets were taken in the morning and two in the evening, for 5 months. The treatment was thereafter reduced to one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
The viral load (HCV-PCR Quant) was reduced from an initial count of 2,140,000/mL on Day 1 to less than 600/mL on day 30; and to non-detectable levels on Day 43 through Day 224 (the final viral load datum point).
Chronic Hepatitis C
This Report documents the progression of chronic hepatitis C in a patient treated specifically for this disease. The origin of the infection is unclear, although notes indicate that the patient suffered from chronic hepatitis C most likely for at least several years. A liver biopsy confirmed the presence of hepatitis C and associated mild liver inflammatory activity (grade 2/4). Following biopsy, treatment consisting of weekly injections of pegylated interferon alpha-2a (“Pegasys”) in conjunction with the administration of ribavirin and VFI Humic Acid® was initiated.
The patient was a male Hispanic-Caucasian, age 43, in otherwise-good condition.
Interferon was begun following the initial diagnosis, and was continued thereafter once per week for 9 months.
Ribavirin treatment (200 mg/tablet) was begun simultaneously with interferon administration. The dose was 3 tablets in the morning and 3 tablets in the evening, which was carried out for 9 months.
VFI Humic Acid® was administered in tablet form (250 mg/tablet), commensurate with the administration of interferon and ribavirin. Two tablets were taken in the morning and two in the evening, for 9 months. The treatment was thereafter reduced to one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
The viral load (HCV-PCR Quant) was reduced from an initial high-positive count on Day 1 to 37,100/mL on day 95; and to non-detectable levels on Day 224 through Day 514 (the final viral load datum point).
