title: HBsAg profiles in patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for the treatment of dual chronic infection with hepatitis B and C viruses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With use of peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with dual chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 11.2% of patients achieved clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at 6 months after treatment; however, reactivation of HBV DNA was observed in 36.3%. We investigated the predictive potential of HBsAg quantification.
  
  
  METHODS
  HBsAg quantification was performed in 120 e antigen-negative patients dually infected with HBV and hepatitis C virus and treated with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks (HCV genotype 1; n = 74) or 24 weeks (HCV genotype 2/3; n = 46). HBsAg was quantified at baseline, week 4, week 12, end of treatment, and 24 weeks after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline median serum HBsAg level was 120 IU/mL and decreased gradually during treatment. Low baseline HBsAg was significantly associated with HBsAg clearance (40% for HBsAg level 20 IU/mL vs 2.2% for HBsAg level >20 IU/mL; P < .05). A decrease in HBsAg level from baseline to week 12 of 50% was associated with a reduced likelihood of HBV DNA reactivation in patients with baseline undetectable serum HBV DNA (positive predictive value, 89.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBsAg quantification appears to be a useful indicator of posttreatment outcome in patients dually infected with HBV and hepatitis C virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Lung
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Chuan-Mo
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wan-Long
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Sheng-Nan
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Chia-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Jee-Fu
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zu-Yau
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tsung-Hui
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Chien-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chao-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Jin-Houng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chi-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jia-Horng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Ming-Yang
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Chen-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tung-Hung
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Shun-Sheng
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-Ying
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Hsing-Tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: You-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Shui-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Sien-Sing
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Pei-Jer
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ding-Shinn
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a