Long-term follow-up of hepatitis B carrier children treated with interferon and prednisolone

The long-term outcome of treatment with Interferon Alpha 2B with and without Prednisolone priming in children infected perinatally with hepatitis B was reviewed. The group studied included 48 children (aged 2-16 years), who were HBe antigen and hepatitis B DNA positive between 1991 and 1993. Twenty children were randomized to a therapeutic trial at that time, and received Prednisolone in reducing doses for 6 weeks and Interferon for 16 weeks while 22 children were monitored without treatment for 12 months. Fourteen of the untreated group and 6 additional children later received treatment with Interferon alone (n = 20). Eight children for whom treatment was declined were followed long term. Median follow-up was 7.5 years (range 1.5-10.6). There was no significant effect of Interferon therapy on seroconversion with or without Prednisolone at 12 months post-treatment compared to untreated children. On longer term follow-up, the 5-year HBeAg to anti-HBe seroconversion percentages, estimated from Kaplan-Meier curves, were 54% for Prednisolone plus Interferon, 22% for Interferon alone, and 12% for untreated children. The median time to seroconversion was 3.9 years (range 0.4-8.2) and was shortest in those treated with Prednisolone plus Interferon. Children who had elevated hepatic transaminase enzymes prior to treatment or during Prednisolone priming had a better response. In contrast to many European studies, no child cleared HBsAg and produced anti-HBs. Treatment with Prednisolone priming and Interferon, improved both the time and rate of seroconversion compared to no treatment or Interferon alone, suggesting that this combination of drugs might have an immunomodulatory effect.     

Proapoptotic IL-18 in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon-alpha

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. In mainland of China, It was estimated the population of 1.3 billion infected with HCV. HCV is not cytopathic. Immune response that is essentially conducted by cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCV infection. Interleukin (IL)-18, mainly produced by monocytes/macrophages, plays an important role in the immune system by enhancing T cell responses, regulating interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production and promoting the development of T helper cell Th1 immune responses. Raised serum levels of IL-18 have recently been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis C before antiviral therapy. Herein we report the IL-18 sequential changes in patients with hepatitis C during the period of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha treatment for 48 weeks. We established the correlation of plasma IL-18 level and alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.77, P < 0.05). Hepatic inflammatory activity in chronic hepatitis C was shown to be closely associated with an increased amount of IL-18. HCV-infected patients had raised IL-18 levels (93.67 ± 23.58 pg/ml versus 59.73 ± 24.06 pg/ml; P < 0.001) comparing donor negativity for HCV. PEG-IFN alpha-2a treatment induces a marked decline in IL-18 and remission of hepatic inflammatory in responders at week 24 and week 48 follow-up time point, while increased levels persist in those in whom the HCV infection was not eliminated by the therapy. We proposed declined IL-18 levels favor for virus solution, while persistent raised IL-18 associated with PEG-IFN treatment failure.     

Long-term follow-up of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus replicative levels in chronic hepatitis patients coinfected with both viruses

Dual infection with hepatitis B and C viruses is often encountered in endemic areas of both viruses. However, understanding of the clinical and virological implications is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of each virus in liver injury and the interaction between the two viruses in dual infection with hepatitis B and C viruses. Three patients who had chronic infection with both hepatitis B and C viruses were examined, and a longitudinal study of both serum hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis C virus RNA levels over 4 years was undertaken. The results were correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Serum alanine aminotransferase values showed a relationship with hepatitis B virus replicative levels, but not with hepatitis C virus replicative levels in all 3 patients. Serial changes of replicative levels of both viruses were studied, and it was found that hepatitis C virus replicative levels were enhanced after the decline of hepatitis B virus replication in 1 of the 3 patients. In the remaining 2 patients, a transient rise of hepatitis C virus replicative levels in association with a decrease of hepatitis B virus replication was also observed during part of the follow-up period. These findings indicate that hepatitis B virus may play a dominant etiological role in liver injury, and that a suppressive action between hepatitis B and C viruses may occur in dual infection with both viruses. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Myelofibrosis in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with interferon-alpha

Trepanobiopsies of the bone marrow were studied in 46 patients in a chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia in different periods after the beginning of interferon-alpha therapy. Progression of myelofibrosis was observed in 2 cases only. Regression of myelofibrosis was observed in 14 cases of 29 (34.2%). A negative correlation between reticulin myelofibrosis and response to therapy was found. Disappearance of diffuse reticulin myelofibrosis in all cases was followed by a cytogenetic response.     

Histologic changes in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection after interferon-alpha therapy.

To evaluate the histologic effects of interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) therapy on chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a semiquantitative study using a modified Knodell's numeric histologic scoring system was performed on paired pre- and post-treatment liver biopsy specimens from 127 adult Chinese patients from two trials of IFN alpha therapy (IFN alpha, n = 86; control, n = 41). The effects of IFN alpha therapy on the hepatic expression of HBV antigens were also determined using immunohistochemical analysis. Serologic response with clearance of HBV e antigen (n = 18) was associated with reduction in lobular activity, periportal piecemeal necrosis, portal inflammation, and total histologic scores. Loss of HBV e antigen also was associated with a reduction in the amount of HBV core antigen in the hepatocytes. In contrast, there was an increase in hepatic expression of HBV surface antigen after IFN alpha therapy. Patients who lost HBV e antigen with IFN alpha therapy were characterized by more severe initial periportal piecemeal necrosis before treatment. These data indicate that (1) serologic response is associated with a reduction in hepatic HBV replication and an improvement in hepatic histology, and (2) patients with severe periportal piecemeal necrosis respond more favorably to IFN alpha therapy.     

Long-term follow-up of antiretroviral-naive HIV-positive patients treated with nevirapine

This article reports on the extended follow-up of 125 antiretroviral (ARV)-naive patients treated with nevirapine (NVP) in the United Kingdom. The patients have been observed for a median of 1.8 years after starting NVP (range, 4 days-2.7 years). Baseline CD4 counts and HIV RNA levels were 210 (interquartile range, 130 - 335) cells/mm3 and 4.86 (range, 4.52-5.26) log10 copies/ml, respectively. Eleven patients (9.0%) developed a rash thought to be related to NVP, of whom 4 permanently discontinued NVP. Twenty-four months after starting NVP, RNA levels had dropped by a median of 2.32 log10 copies/ml and CD4 counts increased by a median of 143 cells/mm3. In all, 96 patients had at least one viral load measured <500 copies/ml, a median of 2.8 months after starting NVP. RNA levels rebounded >500 copies/ml in 37 of these patients, on average 2 years after initial response. In conclusion, in ARV-naive patients, NVP is generally well tolerated and long-term response rates are good.     

HBsAg level and clinical course in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with nucleoside analogue: five years of follow-up data

Background/Aims

Quantification of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is increasingly used to determine the treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, there are limited data about the clinical implications of Quantification of HBsAg long-term nucleoside analogue treatment for CHB. We investigated the clinical correlation between HBsAg level and clinical course in patients with CHB who are treated long-term with nucleoside analogues.

Methods

Patients with CHB who started lamivudine or entecavir monotherapy before June 2007 were enrolled. HBsAg was quantified at baseline, at 6 months, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years of treatment. We compared data between the groups according to the presence or absence of a virological response (VR) and resistance.

Results

Forty-eight patients were analyzed. There was no definite reduction in HBsAg level during the early period of treatment; differences in HBsAg levels between baseline and each time point were significant only at 5 years (P=0.028). In a subgroup analysis, this difference was significant only in non-resistant patients at 5 years (P=0.041).

Conclusions

There was no definite decrease in the HBsAg level during the early period of nucleoside analogue treatment, with long-term treatment being required to observe a significant reduction.     

Loss of hepatitis B surface antigen from the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis treated with lamivudine

Although loss of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) from the serum is sought by treatment with lamivudine, clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the eventual goal of any antiviral therapy. In a single hepatology center in the Metropolitan Tokyo, 486 patients with chronic hepatitis B were followed up for longer than 3 years after they started treatment with lamivudine. HBsAg disappeared from the serum in 17 (3.5%). Age >or=50 years and low HBsAg levels (hemagglutination titer or=50 years at the start of lamivudine was the only factor predicting the loss of HBsAg (hazard ratio: 2.96 [95% confidence interval: 1.14-7.68], P = 0.028). By the method of Kaplan-Meier performed on the 486 patients, the loss of HBsAg was estimated to occur in 3% and 13% of patients, respectively, who had received lamivudine therapy for 5 and 10 years. These results indicate that loss of HBsAg occurs in a minority (3.5%) of patients with chronic hepatitis B who receive lamivudine therapy and more frequently in those with lower HBsAg titers and older ages at the start of treatment.     

双环醇片治疗慢性乙型肝炎在肝组织学方面的研究

目的研究双环醇片治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)在肝组织学方面的变化。方法随机选择31例CHB患者分两组接受治疗,每日口服双环醇片,剂量分别为150和75mg,连续用药36周,观察治疗前后肝组织学的变化。结果治疗36周后,治疗组与对照组肝组织病变活动性积分均有下降,分别为P<0.01和P<0.05,且组间相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肝组织炎症分级下降(P<0.05)。结论双环醇片150与75mg/d治疗CHB均可在明显降低ALT的同时使肝组织学得到明显改善,150mg/d疗效好于75mg/d疗效。     

不同剂量乙型肝炎疫苗对慢性乙型肝炎患者特异性T淋巴细胞应答反应的影响

目的研究接受不同剂量重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗治疗的慢乙肝患者外周血淋巴细胞对疫苗的特异性细胞免疫反应。方法选择72例6个月内无使用抗病毒治疗的慢性乙型肝炎患者按1：1：1的比例随机分为90tLg组、60tLg组、安慰剂组（0μg）。患者同时联合使用干扰素alb5MIU每周3次共24周。所有患者均停药后观察24周。在不同的时间点检测患者HBVDNA、HBeAg及肝功能，酶联免疫斑点试验（ELISPOT）法检测产生IFN-7的细胞数。结果治疗前三组患者的ELISPOT阳性率的差异无统计学意义。治疗24周时高剂量、低剂量和安慰剂组ELISPOT试验阳性的患者分别有12例、12例和7例。重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗组（高剂量、低剂量）ELISPOT阳性率比安慰剂组明显升高，差异有统计学意义（P=0．0446）。24例ELISPOT阳性的重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗组（高剂量、低剂量）患者中有6例产生HBVDNA转阴、7例发生HBeAg消失或转换，而7例ELISPOT阳性的安慰剂组患者均无HBVDNA转阴及HBeAg消失或转换。停药后24周，ELISPOT阳性者中。重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗组（高剂量、低剂量）共有4例产生HBVDNA转阴、9例发生HBeAg消失或转换，而接受安慰剂治疗组均无HBVDNA转阴、仅有1例发生HBeAg转换。结论重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗对慢性乙型肝炎患者有提高特异性T淋巴细胞功能的作用。高剂量组和低剂量组ELISPOT阳性率差异无统计学意义。     

Leucocyte interferon-alpha for patients with chronic hepatitis C intolerant to other alpha-interferons

Background

Alpha-interferon (α-IFN) is the treatment of choice for chronic hepatitis C but most patients experience adverse effects which sometimes lead to the suspension of therapy. Recently, higher doses of α-IFN or prolonged therapy have increased the number of cases of intolerance.

Study Design

In this open study we evaluated the efficacy and safety of leucocyte interferon-alpha (IFNα) [6MU three times a week] in 43 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had been intolerant to previous treatment courses with recombinant or lymphoblastoid IFNα. All patients were treated for 6 months and followed-up for an additional 6 months. End of treatment responders were patients in whom hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA had been eradicated from the blood by the end of treatment, sustained responders were those patients who maintained negative HCV-RNA at the end of follow-up, and the remaining patients were considered non-responders. Adverse effects were monitored by interviews, laboratory and clinical examinations.

Results

Five patients (11.6%) discontinued the treatment, four due to the reappearance of previous adverse effects, and one due to an ex novo adverse effect. In six patients the dose had to be halved. At the end of treatment 11 patients (25.6%) had negative serum HCV-RNA. After discontinuation of therapy, disease flared in four patients, thus seven patients were sustained responders.

Conclusions

This study shows that leucocyte IFNα at a dose of 6MU three times a week is well tolerated in patients previously intolerant to recombinant or lymphoblastoid IFNα, allowing a high percentage of them to complete a course of treatment in terms of duration and dose.     

恩替卡韦联合细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞序贯治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者树突状细胞相关功能观察

观察恩替卡韦联合细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞(cytokine-induced kill cells,CIK)序贯治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者DC功能变化,为指导CIK联合核苷(类)药物抗病毒治疗提供理论依据。以15例接受恩替卡韦联合CIK序贯治疗的慢性乙型肝炎患者为观察对象,单独接受CIK治疗患者为对照,分别在治疗前、HBVDNA500IU/ml及CIK治疗2周后流式细胞技术测定DC表面共刺激分子CD1a、CD80、CD83及HLA-DR表达水平,同时淋巴细胞增殖实验评估DC细胞功能。结果显示15例恩替卡韦联合CIK序贯治疗患者同治疗前相比在接受恩替卡韦治疗并达到HBVDNA500IU/ml时仅有HLA-DR表达水平高于治疗前,其它共刺激分子标志物及淋巴细胞增殖能力没有显著变化。CIK序贯治疗后DC共刺激分子标志物和HLA-DR水平明显升高,并且淋巴细胞增殖能力也明显升高。单独CIK治疗患者同治疗前比较DC表面分子标志物水平及淋巴细胞增殖能力均无变化,同联合治疗组相比DC标志物水平和淋巴细胞增殖能力均低于联合治疗组。以上结果提示恩替卡韦联合CIK序贯治疗明显提高慢性乙型肝炎患者DC共刺激分子及HLA-DR表达,并诱导免疫细胞应答功能,恩替卡韦联合CIK序贯治疗可能通过增强DC相关功能提高慢性乙肝患者的抗病毒疗效。     

The NS5a gene of hepatitis C virus in patients treated with interferon-alpha

Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 have a better response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy than those infected with genotype 1. There are extensive sequence differences between genotypes in the 3' half of the NS5a gene. An association between IFN-alpha response and the interferon sensitivity-determining region (ISDR) (amino acids 2209-2248) of HCV genotype 1b has been described [Enomoto et al. (1996) New England Journal of Medicine 334:771-776]. A prospective study was conducted to determine whether the derived NS5A amino acid sequence or quasi-species diversity could predict response to IFN-alpha therapy. Serum samples were obtained before, during, and after treatment from 35 IFN-alpha-treated patients chronically infected with HCV (eight with type1b,13 with type1a, and 14 with type3a). Nucleotide sequences were determined, and amino acid sequences corresponding to residues 2178-2390 of the polyprotein were derived. Quasi-species complexity was analysed by amplification of the ISDR region (2270-2403), followed by single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP). No amino acid sequence that could be used to predict response to treatment was found, and there was no selection of specific amino acid residues during treatment. A striking lack of variability was seen in HCV genotype 3a, but the small degree of variation could suggest an effect on response. SSCP showed that variation in the predominant NS5a sequence occurred in the presence and absence of therapeutically administered IFN-alpha. HCV quasi-species diversity pretreatment did not predict IFN-alpha treatment outcome. The conclusion of the study is that the amino acid sequence of NS5a cannot be used to predict the efficacy of treatment with IFN-alpha in HCV-infected patients in Scotland. No evidence was found to support the selection of IFN-alpha-resistant strains in the NS5a gene.     

Comparison of interferon and lamivudine treatment in Japanese patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B

The aim of this study was to elucidate the long-term outcome after interferon (IFN) or lamivudine (LMV) treatment in Japanese patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B. Inclusion criteria were biopsy proven chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, no history of IFN or LMV treatment. Three hundred twenty-seven patients satisfied above criteria were treated with IFN or LMV. The primary end point of our study was serum clearance of HBeAg and decrease of serum HBV-DNA to < or =5 LEG/ml after the initiation of treatment. This study was a retrospective cohort study. Attainment of serum clearance of HBeAg and decrease of serum HBV-DNA to < or =5 LEG/ml was regarded as response. Two hundred eighty-six patients had got response after the initiation of treatment. The cumulative rate of response was 28.0% in the first year, 56.2% at the 5th year and 82.5% at the 10th year. Response occurred when HBV-DNA load was high level of more than 7 LEG/ml, and serum ALT level was more than 100 IU/L, HBV genotype was B. IFN and LMV were the similar effect on response (P = 0.410). On IFN therapy, cumulative rate of response in patients of <35 years was higher than that in patients > or =35 years (P = 0.002). Our results suggest that (1) IFN and LMV are the similar effect on response, (2) IFN therapy is more effective for younger patients.     

HBV DNA suppression in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with peginterferon or placebo

The aim of the present study was to compare the decline of HBV DNA during peginterferon (PEG-IFN) therapy with spontaneous HBV DNA decline in placebo-treated patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B. A total of 136 patients who participated in a randomized trial were treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2b for 52 weeks. These patients were compared with 167 patients who received a placebo for 48 weeks using linear mixed regression analysis. Response was defined as loss of HBeAg at the end of treatment (EOT). Overall, decline of HBV DNA at the EOT was significantly greater in the PEG-IFN group than in the placebo group (mean decline 2.3 log vs. 1.0 log, P < 0.001) and varied according to HBV genotype. Viral suppression was greater in the PEG-IFN group from week 4 throughout the entire treatment period (P < 0.001). The response rate was 32% for the PEG-IFN group and 11% for the placebo group (P < 0.001). Among responders, HBV DNA decline was greater for patients treated with PEG-IFN than with a placebo: the mean difference in HBV DNA decline was 0.7 log (P = 0.001) at 4 weeks and 2 log (P < 0.001) at the EOT. ALT flares (>5 times the upper limit) were associated with a greater HBV DNA decline during PEG-IFN. In conclusion, PEG-IFN therapy resulted in a greater HBV DNA decline in positive HBeAg patients than a placebo. The decline of HBV DNA was greater in patients with HBeAg loss or who exhibited an ALT flare during PEG-IFN than in patients with spontaneous HBeAg loss or flares during placebo therapy.     

Treatment with ribavirin and interferon-alpha reduces interferon-gamma expression in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Recent studies in vitro and in animals have suggested that ribavirin may potentiate the antihepatitis C virus (HCV) activity of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) by up-modulating the production of T cell-derived cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2 and IFN-gamma, which play a key role in the cellular immune response against HCV. To study the immune-modulatory mechanisms of ribavirin further, cytokine production by activated T cells and circulating cytokine levels were studied by FACS analysis and ELISA testing in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C unresponsive to IFN-alpha, before and after treatment with either ribavirin plus IFN-alpha or IFN-alpha alone. After 16 weeks of treatment, both the expression of IFN-gamma by activated T cells and the blood levels of IFN-gamma, were significantly reduced with respect to pretreatment values in patients treated with ribavirin and IFN-alpha but not in those undergoing treatment with IFN-alpha alone. The expression of IFN-gamma was significantly lower in patients that gained normal ALT levels with respect to those that did not. No modification of the expression of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 was found before and after treatment in either group of patients. In conclusion, the results of this study do not support up-modulation of IFN-gamma and IL-2 production as the mechanism by which ribavirin potentiates IFN-alpha anti HCV activity. In addition, our findings suggest that ribavirin may exert an anti-inflammatory effect and may help reducing IFN-gamma-driven T cell activation and liver damage.     

High frequency of hepatitis B virus DNA in anti-HBe positive sera on longitudinal follow-up of patients with renal transplants and chronic hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were determined in 821 patients receiving renal allografts and undergoing immunosuppressive therapy during 1970-1986. Twenty-four of the patients with a renal transplant functioning for longer than 1 year originally were or became chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). These patients remained carriers during the follow-up period, which lasted until death or until the end of 1986. Follow-up time was 1.2-15.3 years (mean 9.1 years). A total of 301 samples from the HBsAg-positive patients were tested for HBV DNA and HBeAg/DNA and HBeAg/anti-HBe. Nine patients who were constantly positive for HBeAg also remained positive for HBV DNA. Reactivation of HBV replication occurred in 11 patients. Among these, HBV DNA and HBeAg varied in parallel in six patients, three patients developed anti-HBe, and two patients were constantly positive for anti-HBe. Another four of the 24 patients seroconverted to anti-HBe, and two of these also lost HBV DNA. Three of 12 deceased patients died from liver failure during follow-up. None of these three had been constantly positive for HBeAg or HBV DNA, but they had had reactivations of HBV; two were also positive for HBV DNA in serum specimens available from their terminal month. HBV DNA was demonstrated in 99% of HBeAg-positive and 53% of anti-HBe-positive sera and in at least two samples from each of the 24 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

慢性乙型肝炎患者氧化损伤的研究

目的　探讨慢性乙型肝炎 (乙肝 )患者体内氧化损伤的情况。方法　检测 30例慢性乙肝患者氧化损伤指标 (丙二醛、总抗氧化能力、抗坏血酸 )、肝功能、乙型肝炎病毒 (HBVDNA) ,并做出统计分析。结果　慢性乙肝患者组与正常对照组比较 :丙二醛浓度明显升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;ALT正常组与正常对照组比较 :抗坏血酸血清浓度明显升高 (P <0 0 1) ;ALT异常组与正常对照组及ALT正常组比较 :丙二醛血清浓度均明显升高 (P <0 0 5 )。在慢性乙型肝炎患者中 ,丙二醛浓度与ALT水平呈明显正相关 (r=0 6 1) ,抗坏血酸浓度与ALT水平呈明显负相关 (r =- 0 6 4 )。乙肝HBVDNA与抗氧化指标间无联系 (P >0 0 5 )。总抗氧化能力指标在各组间比较均无明显改变。结论　乙肝患者体内有氧化 抗氧化功能障碍。慢性乙肝患者ALT升高时 ,体内氧化损伤程度加重。慢性乙型肝炎患者ALT正常者 ,体内氧化损伤程度不高。氧化损伤指标与HBVDNA是肝炎患者中相对独立的检查指标。