[Efficacy of antiviral treatment on intrahepatic HBV DNA and histology in HBeAg -positive chronic hepatitis B patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of antiviral agents on intrahepatic HBV DNA and histology in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients were treated with lamivudine, 16 with interferon alfa (INF-alpha), 24 with sequential Lamivudine and INF-alpha. The total duration of therapy was 12 months. Intrahepatic HBV DNA was measured quantitatively by real-time polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
There was significant change in all parameters of the groups of patients at the end of treatment (P < 0.05). The patients treated with sequential treatment had slightly higher HBeAg seroconversion rate (38.1%) than that of the other patients (P=0.1352). The baseline levels of intrahepatic HBV DNA in the patients with HBeAg seroconversion or undetectable serum HBV DNA were significantly lower than that of the other patients (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Antiviral agents could effectively inhibit intrahepatic HBV DNA and improve hepatic histology. The patients with low baseline intrahepatic HBV DNA level may achieve better antiviral efficacy. Sequential treatment might produce high HBeAg seroconversion rate.
Lu
Hai-ying
HY
Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
Zhuang
Li-wei
LW
Yu
Yan-yan
YY
Si
Chong-wen
CW
Zheng
Jian-jun
JJ
Chen
Xin-yue
XY
Han
Zhong-hou
ZH
Chen
Yong
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D019259:Lamivudine