Response to interferon alfa is hepatitis B virus genotype dependent: genotype A is more sensitive to interferon than genotype D.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Current interferon alfa (IFN) treatment of chronic hepatitis B has limited efficacy. The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes for response to IFN was investigated.

Patients and methods

HBV genotype was determined by direct sequencing of the HBV X gene in 165 consecutive patients with chronic replicative hepatitis B treated with standard IFN. HBV genotype A or D was found in 144 cases.

Results

Sustained response (six months after treatment) to standard IFN therapy was higher in HBV genotype A compared with HBV genotype D infected patients (49% v 26%; p<0.005). Sustained response to IFN was 46% versus 24% (p<0.03) in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive hepatitis (n = 99) and 59% versus 29% (p<0.05) in HBeAg negative hepatitis (n = 45) for HBV

SUBMITTER: Erhardt A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1774609 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature