Abstract
The antiviral effect of recombinant interferon (rIFN) therapy of chronic hepatitis type B in children has been demonstrated. In order to determine the predictive factors of the response to rIFN, the basal features of responder and non-responder patients (age, sex, ALT levels, HBV-DNAp activity, time of HBsAg carriers, Knodell's index and percentage of infected cells of HBcAg in the liver biopsy) have been evaluated. Twenty eight children (mean age 2-14 years) with viral replication markers (HBV-DNA positive) have been included. Eight children had received 10 MU of rIFN-a2C (Boehringer Ingelheim)/m2 body surface, I.M., twice a week during six months; 8 children were treated with 7.5 MU under the same conditions and 12 received 10 MU of rIFN-a2A (Roferon)/m2 body surface I.M., thrice weekly during 3 months. All of them had an histologically proven CAH. AT the end of the follow-up period (15 months) 8 children became HBV-DNA and HBeAg negative and were considered as rIFN-responders and 20 remained positive for these markers (non-responders).
The responders patients had a significantly lower activity of HBV-DNAp (265.7± 323.6 vs 719.3± 480.3. p<0.05) and less percentage of HBcAg infected liver cells than the non-responders (14.17 ± 6.83 vs 58.28 ± 32.73 p<0.05). In addition, the ALT (210.5± 75.2 vs 128.8± 76.1, p<0.05) and the liver Knodell's index of histological activity in the liver biopsies (12,25± 2.41 vs 7.64 ± 3.23 p<0.05) were higher in the responders than in the non-responders.
In conclusion, the children who responded to rIFN therapy hod a more active liver disease (ALT, Knodell's index). Furthermore these patients had a relatively low level of viral replication (HBV-DNAp, HBcAg in liver cells).
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Ruiz-Moreno, M., Carreno, V., Jimenez, J. et al. PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF THE RESPONSE TO RECOMBINANT INTERFERON IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS B IN CHILDHOOD. Pediatr Res 26, 282 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198909000-00113
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198909000-00113