title: Induction of autoantibodies during alpha interferon treatment in chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: Thirty-two patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with alpha interferon were tested for 12 different antibodies. Only a minority (18%) of cases developed antinuclear antibodies and none developed clinical signs of autoimmune disease. These data suggest that, at the dose regimen used, interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis B is not associated with triggering of autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Medicina Clinica, Università di Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fattovich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Betterle
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brollo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giustina
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pedini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alberti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha