title: [Adenine arabinoside: hope in the treatment of chronic virus B hepatitis].
abstract: Five patients presenting with HBs Ag and HBe Ag-positive chronic hepatitis were treated with adenosine arabinoside (Vidarabine) in doses of 15 mg/kg/day. The drug was administered by intravenous infusion in 2 series of 5 infusions each separated by 2-day intervals. Two patients had a second course 4 months after the first one. There were no clinical or biochemical adverse reactions. Following treatment, serum transaminase levels returned to normal. All patients became HB Ag-negative, with presence of anti-HBe antibody in three; two patients became HBs Ag-negative, with presence of anti-HBs antibody in one. Although very short, this series should encourage further therapeutic studies, including a controlled, randomized trial in a large number of patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D014740:Vidarabine
vernacular_title: L'adénine arabinoside: un espoir dans le traitement de l'hépatite chronique à virus B.