Evaluation of alpha interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in Christchurch.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate alpha interferon for the treatment of chronic replicative hepatitis B infection in Christchurch patients.


METHODS
Ten patients were divided into two groups depending upon whether their average pretreatment ALT levels were greater than twice the upper limit of normal (group 1, 6 subjects) or less than twice the upper limit of normal (group 2, 4 subjects). Interferon alpha-2a (4.5 mega units) was administered three times a week for 24 weeks with the addition of a preceding priming course of prednisone in group 2.


RESULTS
At 6 months post treatment only one patient in group 1 had seroconverted (HBeAg to anti-HBe), however, the remaining five patients seroconverted from 18-32 months after therapy. This response was associated with normalisation of the transaminases and in 5/6 subjects a fall in the HBV DNA levels. In group 2 one subject seroconverted by 6 months despite a shortened course of Interferon. A delayed seroconversion (18 months) was observed in one patient and another had a partial response with the development of anti-HBe but associated with persistence of HBeAg. The remaining patient has not responded.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon alpha-2a was effective in promoting a seroconversion HBeAg to anti-HBe in patients with chronic hepatitis B and transaminases elevated to twice the upper limit of normal, although in most cases this response was delayed. Larger studies will be required to determine the role of steroid priming in those with less active disease.
Burt
M J
MJ
Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital.
Ross
A G
AG
Schroeder
B A
BA
Chambers
S T
ST
Chapman
B A
BA
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D018963:Hepatitis Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D013997:Time Factors; D000637:Transaminases / Q000032:analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018963:Hepatitis Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000637:Transaminases