A patient with chronic hepatitis B and regression of fibrosis during treatment.
We present a patient with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, in whom significant regression of hepatic fibrosis was achieved after a lengthy antiviral treatment. A liver biopsy specimen obtained at initiation of treatment showed chronic hepatitis B with mild activity (histologic activity index: 7) and marked fibrosis (stage 4, in a scale of 0 to 6). A second biopsy specimen, obtained 10 years later, demonstrated almost complete resolution of necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis. One year after the second biopsy, seroconversion from HBsAg positive to anti-HBs positive status was achieved, and antiviral treatment was discontinued. This case is illustrative of the significant histologic improvement that can be accomplished in chronic hepatitis B when viral activity is suppressed long term. Lengthy antiviral treatment can achieve resorption of excess fibrous tissue, even in patients with marked fibrosis.
Chang
Charissa Y
CY
Division of Liver Diseases, Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10001, USA.
Martin
Paul
P
Fotiadu
Anastasia
A
Hytiroglou
Prodromos
P
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001706:Biopsy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens