title: Early virologic response to pegylated interferon in chronic hepatitis B infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early virologic response to pegylated interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection is not frequently reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case notes of the patients was retrieved and relevant data extracted, literature review was done using Medline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A report of a case of early virologic response in a 62 year old man with chronic hepatitis B infection, receiving pegylated interferon is presented with a review of the relevant literature. He had HBV DNA level assessed by PCR and histology of liver biopsy specimen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians should be on the lookout for early virologic response to pegylated interferon and the eventual outcome of such early response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Jos/JUTH.
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Ladep
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ugiagbe
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Okeke
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Malu
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a