PMID: 15218344Jun 26, 2004Paper

The clinical meaning of the emergence of viral breakthrough during lamivudine treatment in patients with hepatitis B virus related chronic liver disease

The Korean Journal of Hepatology
Chan Bog ParkByung Hoon Han

Abstract

Viral breakthrough has been considered a major limitation of lamivudine in the treatment of hepatitis B virus related chronic liver disease. Its clinical meaning has not been thoroughly assessed. 64 patients who showed viral breakthrough during lamivudine treatment were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the rate of HBeAg seroconversion and hepatic decompensation after viral breakthrough. After viral breakthrough, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation more than 1.2 x upper limit of normal (ULN) was noticed in 40 patients (62.5%). Acute flare (serum ALT elevation > x 5 ULN, or serum bilirubin >3 mg/dL) occurred in 15 patients (23.4%). During the period of follow up (15.0 +/- 9.7 months; range, 0-31 months) since viral breakthrough, decreased serum HBV-DNA level to below the detection limit and serum ALT normalization was seen in 15 patients (23.4%). HBeAg seroconversion was noticed in 7 (13.7%) of a total of 51 HBeAg positive patients at base line; in 4 (15.4%) of 26 patients with non-hepatic failure (chronic hepatitis or Child-Pugh class A liver cirrhosis) at base line; and in 2 (40.0%) of 5 patients with non-hepatic failure at base line and acute flare after viral breakthrough. During this period, terminal hepatic dec...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antivirals

Antivirals are medications that are used specifically for treating viral infections. Discover the latest research on antivirals here.

Antivirals (ASM)

Antivirals are medications that are used specifically for treating viral infections. Discover the latest research on antivirals here.