Linked Life Data

1706741

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/1706741

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:dateCreated
1991-4-30
pubmed:abstractText
A study is currently underway to investigate the efficacy of interferon therapy in patients with prolonged (greater than or equal to 10 weeks but less than 6 months) hepatitis B infection. To date, a total of 15 patients have been enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive either placebo for 24 weeks (n = 8) or interferon 5 million units subcutaneously 3 times a week for 24 weeks (n = 7), with follow up for 1 year. Thirteen patients have completed the follow-up period: seven patients in the placebo group and six in the treated group. Five of the six treated patients completely eradicated the infection during interferon therapy, with clearance of hepatitis B e and surface antigens, and seroconversion to antibody positivity in each case. Two of the eight placebo patients seroconverted during the placebo period. Clearance of hepatitis B e antigen was associated with a sudden rise in serum transaminase levels and an exacerbation of hepatitis, a phenomenon that has also been reported in chronic hepatitis B patients who have responded well to interferon therapy. Therapy was well tolerated in all cases. Our results suggest that interferon treatment of patients with prolonged hepatitis B infection may prevent progression to chronicity. If confirmed by further study, they should trigger more vigilant screening for patients with raised serum transaminase levels and viral markers of hepatitis B infection.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0168-8278
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
11 Suppl 1
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
S95-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1990
pubmed:articleTitle
Possible prevention of chronic hepatitis B by early interferon therapy.
pubmed:affiliation
Service d'Hépatogastroentérologie, Hôtel Dieu, France.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Randomized Controlled Trial