Interferon-alpha 2b treatment in hepatitis B carriers. Effect on hepatitis B virus DNA levels in children infected with different genotypes

Acta Paediatr. 1997 Feb;86(2):135-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1997.tb08853.x.

Abstract

Eleven hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier children, infected with genotypes A-D, were treated with interferon-alpha. Two children had a sustained loss of hepatitis B e-antigen and HBV DNA. They were infected with the non-Asian genotypes A and D, and had low HBV DNA and high ALT levels in serum before treatment. However, HBV DNA titres decreased during treatment also in children infected with the East-Asian genotypes B and C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Carrier State / blood*
  • Carrier State / therapy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hepatitis B / blood*
  • Hepatitis B / therapy*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins