Abstract | BACKGROUND/AIM: METHODS: In our pilot study performed at the Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade, Serbia in the period between 2002 and 2006 we treated 10 patients with clinically verified subacute HBV infection with lamivudine, 100 mg orally per day. RESULTS: The most of the treated patients (9/10; 90%) survived subacute form of hepatitis B. After a few weeks of the treatment serum aminotransferase levels and other liver-function tests were normalized. Also, after a four-month lamivudine treatment all the patients lost HBsAg. Lamivudine was discontinued after six months in all the patients. In addition, six months after lamivudine was discontinued the patients remained well with normal results on liver-function tests. CONCLUSION: The obtained results suggest significant efficacy of lamivudine in patients with subacute hepatitis B. Also, we suggest that lamivudine therapy should be administered early in progression of subacute disease since it could be life-saving treatment in some patients, especially in the countries (like Serbia) where orthotopic liver transplantation is difficult to achieve.
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Authors | Dragan Delić, Zorica Nesić, Milica Prostran, Ivan Boricić, Neda Svirtlih |
Journal | Vojnosanitetski pregled
(Vojnosanit Pregl)
Vol. 66
Issue 3
Pg. 199-202
(Mar 2009)
ISSN: 0042-8450 [Print] Serbia |
PMID | 19341224
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Lamivudine
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Adult
- Aged
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Hepatitis B
(complications, drug therapy)
- Humans
- Lamivudine
(therapeutic use)
- Liver Failure, Acute
(etiology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
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