The Effect of Lamivudine Oral Therapy in the Treatment of Hbeag Positive Patients

Abstract

aim: Lamivudine treatment achieves good virological and biochemical responses in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, this study aimed to determine the effect of lamivudine oral therapy 100mg/day, in HBeAg positive Egyptian patients after 6 months of treatment. Methods: This study included 40 CHB Egyptian patients (33 males and 7 females) whom HBeAg was positive. Investigations included: Pre-treatment liver profile, hepatitis B serology, HCV antibodies by ELISA and HBV-DNA-PCR levels.After six months of lamuvudine therapy(100mg/d), liver profile, HBeAg status and PCR levels were measured.. Results: HBV-DNA-PCR became undetectable in 21 patients (52.5%), reduced in 16 patients (40%) and increased viremiawas detected in 3 patients (7.5%). Seroconversion occurred in 11 patients (27.5%) and rest of patients who were 29 (72%) remained positive and significant decrease and normalization of transaminases was achieved in all patients. Conclusion: Lamivudine therapy achieved good results related to PCR levels, normalization of transaminases as well as its tolerability and absence of undesirable effects.