Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
1987-1-27
pubmed:abstractText
We investigated the efficacy of a short course of prednisone therapy in 20 patients with histologic evidence of chronic active hepatitis B. Sixteen of 20 prednisone-treated patients who were initially serum hepatitis B virus DNA-positive had a transient elevation of their serum ALT activity on withdrawal of prednisone. Subsequently, 14 of these 16 patients (87.5%) became persistently negative for serum hepatitis B virus DNA, and 10 also lost their HBeAg. In addition, there was a significant fall in serum ALT levels and HBsAg titers up to 12 months of follow-up in the prednisone-treated group. Five of 20 (25%) prednisone-treated patients experienced a transient episode of hepatic decompensation coinciding with the peak of enzyme elevation. To contrast, only 3 of 15 (20%) initially hepatitis B virus DNA-positive matched untreated patients followed during the same time period became negative for serum hepatitis B virus DNA, and no significant changes in serum ALT values or HBsAg titers were noted over the 12-month study period. Thus, patients with chronic active hepatitis B appear to be responsive to immunologic manipulation with prednisone as indicated by a pronounced rebound immune response and clearance of hepatitis B virus DNA with improvement in liver disease activity.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0270-9139
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
6
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1319-24
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
A pilot study on the effects of prednisone withdrawal on serum hepatitis B virus DNA and HBeAg in chronic active hepatitis B.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't