title: Alpha lymphoblastoid interferon and acyclovir for chronic hepatitis delta.
abstract: Ten patients with chronic hepatitis type D were treated during 4 months with alpha lymphoblastoid interferon in combination with two 2-week courses of acyclovir. Median percentage of HDAg-positive hepatocytes decreased from 11 to 1, p = 0.0225. Patients with no liver HDAg expression after treatment (n = 5) showed improved AST levels (normal in 4) and diminished liver cell inflammation. One patient, who cleared HDAg has complete biochemical remission of his liver disease with 2 years of follow-up. Five patients with persistent, albeit low, HDAg expression in the liver, had continued liver cell destruction (AST elevated and/or abnormal biopsy). No evidence for an enhancing effect of acyclovir for interferon therapy was observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Rotterdam.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Man
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Housset
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berthelot
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schalm
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000628:therapy*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; C442244:hepatitis delta virus large antigen; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000212:Acyclovir