title: The efficacy of the Peginterferon treatment in chronic hepatitis HDV and compensate liver cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficiency of the treatment with Peginterferon alfa 2a 180 mcg/week, 48 weeks in patients with chronic hepatitis or compensated liver cirrhosis HDV and predictive factors of response to treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study that enrolled 50 patients with chronic hepatitis or compensated cirrhosis HDV between the 1st of January 2011 - 3st of December 2011. The diagnosis of chronic HDV infection was made based on the presence of detectable anti HDV IgG antibodies and HDV-RNA. Patients were evaluated at baseline by CBC, liver function tests, HBV profile, HDV RNA, and by liver biopsy/Fibrotest for evaluating fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity. At 24 weeks CBC (count blood cells), liver function tests, quantitative HBsAg and at 48 and 72 weeks biochemical tests, HDV RNA, HBV DNA, quantitative HBsAg, were performed. Adverse reactions to the treatment were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SVR (sustained virologic response) was recorded in 12 patients (24%) and biochemical response in 28 patients (56%). SVR was correlated with low-grade fibrosis, age, the aminotransferase value and the value of HBsAg at the beginning of the treatment. In week 48 HDV RNA was undetectable in 20 patients (40%). The therapy was well tolerated, except two patients for whom the discontinuation of the treatment was decided for severe exacerbation of cytolysis, respectively hepatic decompensation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a representative group of patients, the treatment with Peginterferon once again proves its efficacy in treating chronic HDV.
authors: Letitia
authors: L
authors: Tugui
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Dumitru
authors: Speranta
authors: S
authors: Iacob
authors: Liana
authors: L
authors: Gheorghe
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Preda
authors: Ioana
authors: I
authors: Dinu
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Becheanu
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: Dumbrava
authors: Ioana
authors: I
authors: Nicolae
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Andrei
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Lupu
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Diculescu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019701:Hepatitis D, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a