Alpha lymphoblastoid interferon and acyclovir for chronic hepatitis delta

Prog Clin Biol Res. 1991:364:411-20.

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.

MeSH terms

  • 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

Substances

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