Treatment of chronic hepatitis B: recommendations from an Italian workshop.
The changing scenario of hepatitis B virus therapy has encouraged the organisation of a workshop, endorsed by three Italian scientific societies, aimed at defining the current recommendations for hepatitis B virus treatment. Liver histology and stage of disease remain fundamental for treatment decisions; interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues-based therapy represent different strategies for different phases of the hepatitis B virus disease. The recommendations defined: new and lower cut-off of hepatitis B virus-DNA for eligibility to therapy according to disease stage, how to optimise the use of nucleoside/nucleotide analogues and to individualise the monitoring of response and what to do with treatment failures. Specific recommendations have also been given for cirrhosis patients, those immune suppressed and co-infected with HIV and other hepatitis viruses.
Carosi
G
G
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, AO Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy. carosi@bsnet.it
Rizzetto
M
M
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007558:Italy; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies