title: Placebo-controlled trial of recombinant alpha 2-interferon in Chinese HBsAg-carrier children.
abstract: 24 Chinese children aged 1.5-5 years and positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase (HBV DNAp), and HBV DNA on at least three occasions in the 6 months before the trial were randomised to receive either vitamin B complex or intramuscular recombinant alpha 2-interferon (r-IFN) ('Roferon') 10 X 10(6) IU/m2 thrice weekly for 12 weeks. In all 12 subjects receiving r-IFN, HBV DNAp and HBV DNA levels fell during the course of r-IFN injections. Within 4 weeks of cessation of r-IFN injection, the HBV DNAp and HBV DNA returned to pre-trial levels except in 2 subjects, in whom loss of HBV DNAp and HBV DNA was sustained for up to 18 months from onset of the trial. 1 child lost HBeAg at 18 months. 2 of the 12 children in the placebo group also had a sustained loss of HBV DNAp and HBV DNA during the 18 months, with 1 child losing HBeAg at 18 months. All 24 subjects remained positive for HBsAg. r-IFN produced very slight side-effects except for pyrexia and the "flu" syndrome, both of which showed rapid tachyphylaxis. In the dose given r-IFN was safe but had no long-term beneficial effects on HBsAg carriage in Chinese children.
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000201:enzymology; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase