Efficacy and Safety of Short Course Therapy With Peginterferon Alpha-2b (PEG-IFN Alfa-2b) and Ribavirin (RBV) for Chronic Hepatitis C (Genotype 4) Participants Achieving a Rapid Virological Response at Week 4 of Treatment (MK-8908B-059)

Randomized Open Label Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Short Course Therapy (24 Weeks) With Peginterferon Alpha-2b and Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C (Genotype 4) Patients Who Achieve a Rapid Virological Response (HCV -RNA Undetectable at Week 4 of Treatment)

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of a short course of therapy (24 weeks) versus standard 48 week treatment in previously untreated adult participants with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 4 infection who achieve rapid virologic response (RVR), defined as HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) negativity after 4 weeks of treatment.

Participants who achieved RVR after 4 weeks of PEG-INF alfa-2b plus RBV treatment were randomized to receive either 20 or 44 weeks of continued therapy, for a total of 24 or 48 weeks total of PEG-INF plus RBV therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant is ≥40 kg and ≤120 kg weight
• Participant and participant's partner(s) must each agree to use acceptable methods of contraception for at least 2 weeks prior to Day 1 and continue until at least 6 months after last dose of study medication, or longer if dictated by local regulations.
• Previously documented CHC genotype 4 infection
• Liver biopsy or fibrotest and fibroscan with histology consistent with CHC and no other etiology and with hepatic fibrosis scores (F0, F1, F2, F3).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus
• Treatment for hepatitis C with any investigational medication
• Treatment with any investigational drug within 30 days of the screening visit
• Evidence of decompensated liver disease including, but not limited to, a history or presence of clinical ascites, bleeding varices, or hepatic encephalopathy
• Autoimmune hepatitis or a history of autoimmune disease
• Hepatic fibrosis score F4
• Severe pre-existing cardiac disease, including unstable or uncontrolled cardiac disease in the previous six months
• Autoimmune hepatitis or a history of autoimmune disease
• Thyroid disease uncontrolled with conventional treatment
• Epilepsy and/or compromised central nervous system (CNS) function