Induction of autoantibodies during alpha interferon treatment in chronic hepatitis B.
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.
Fattovich
G
G
Istituto di Medicina Clinica, Università di Padova, Italy.
Betterle
C
C
Brollo
L
L
Giustina
G
G
Pedini
B
B
Alberti
A
A
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
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha