Alpha lymphoblastoid interferon and acyclovir for chronic hepatitis delta.

Abstract

Ten patients with chronic hepatitis type D were treated during 4 months with alpha lymphoblastoid interferon in combination with two 2-week courses of acyclovir. Median percentage of HDAg-positive hepatocytes decreased from 11 to 1, p = 0.0225. Patients with no liver HDAg expression after treatment (n = 5) showed improved AST levels (normal in 4) and diminished liver cell inflammation. One patient, who cleared HDAg has complete biochemical remission of his liver disease with 2 years of follow-up. Five patients with persistent, albeit low, HDAg expression in the liver, had continued liver cell destruction (AST elevated and/or abnormal biopsy). No evidence for an enhancing effect of acyclovir for interferon therapy was observed.

• Authors: L Berk, R A de Man, C Housset, P Berthelot, S W Schalm
• Journal: Progress in clinical and biological research (Prog Clin Biol Res) Vol. 364 Pg. 411-20 ( 1991) ISSN: 0361-7742 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2020718 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Viral
• Hepatitis B e Antigens
• Hepatitis delta Antigens
• Interferon Type I
• hepatitis delta virus large antigen
• Aspartate Aminotransferases
• Acyclovir

Topics

• Acyclovir (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Antigens, Viral (analysis)
• Aspartate Aminotransferases (blood)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hepatitis B e Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis D (therapy)
• Hepatitis Delta Virus (immunology)
• Hepatitis delta Antigens
• Humans
• Interferon Type I (therapeutic use)
• Liver (microbiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Virus Replication