title: Fibroblast interferon treatment of a patient with chronic active hepatitis. Increased number of circulating T lymphocytes and elimination of rosette-inhibitory factor.
abstract: A 23 year old woman with chronic active hepatitis documented by liver biopsy demonstrated persistent hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B virus specific DNA polymerase hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), for approximately one year. The number of circulating T lymphocytes that rosetted with sheep erythrocytes was decreased, and a rosette-inhibitory factor was present in her peripheral blood. Interferon treatment (1 X 10(6) U/day intramuscularly for 82 days) resulted in a decrease of HBsAg and disappearance of HBcAg, (HBeAg) and specific DNA polymerase. In addition, the number of T lymphocytes increased to normal, and the rosette-inhibitory factor disappeared from the circulation. These findings suggest that the effect of interferon in chronic active hepatitis is mediated in part through its action on the immune system.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D007372:Interferons; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase