title: Lamivudine for treatment of spontaneous exacerbation and reactivation after immunosuppressive therapy in patients with hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the efficacy of lamivudine therapy for treatment of spontaneous exacerbation and reactivation after immunosuppressive therapy in patients with hepatitis B virus infection. Lamivudine is an effective therapy if used in early stages of both spontaneous exacerbation and reactivation after immunosuppressive therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our study, twelve patients experienced flares of chronic hepatitis B over a three-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients whose pretreatment total bilirubin levels were more than 7mg/dL died of fatal liver failure despite lamivudine therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that if pretreatment serum bilirubin levels are higher than 7 mg/dL, lamivudine therapy alone may be insufficient and more effective therapies should be considered concomitantly with lamivudine.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Mie University, School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fuke
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Kentaro Yoneda
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Yutaka
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: Katsuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiraki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019259:Lamivudine; D001663:Bilirubin