Interferon therapy of Turkish patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of alpha interferon therapy in Turkish individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus infection was examined.


METHODS
Sixty-one patients (54 males and 7 females) were studied between 1992 and 1996. Their mean age was 33.4 years (range: 20-57). Each was treated with 4.5 million international units interferon alpha 3 times a week for 24 weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hepatitis B virus markers (HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and HBV DNA) were monitored. A liver biopsy was obtained before and 6 months after the termination of interferon therapy.


RESULTS
Before treatment, the serum ALT level was elevated in all 61 subjects. Six months after the termination of therapy, 23 (38%) had a normal serum ALT level. In all patients, before the start of therapy and 6 months after the termination of therapy, HBsAg was detectable. In 36 (59%), HBeAg was present and anti-HBe was not detectable in serum before the initiation of therapy. In 12 (33%), the serum was negative for HBeAg and positive for anti-HBe 6 months after the termination of therapy. HBV DNA was detectable in all serum samples before the onset of therapy and disappeared in 14 (23%) patients, and continued to be undetectable 6 months after the termination of interferon therapy. Histological improvement defined by an improvement in the Knodell score of 2 points or more was observed in 38 (62%).


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon therapy eliminates serum markers of active hepatitis B virus infection (eAg and HBV DNA) and is associated with histological improvement in 30-60% of Turkish patients with chronic HBV infection. Interferon therapy did not eliminate sAg from the serum and the histologic improvement achieved was often incomplete.
Besirbellioglu
B
B
Department of Infectious Diseases, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Gul
C
C
Gorenek
L
L
Eyigun
C P
CP
Hacibektasoglu
A
A
Van Thiel
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000410:Alanine Transaminase