BACKGROUND AND AIM: Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is defined by the detectable serum HBV-DNA in HBV surface antigen-negative patients. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of combined pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) in patients with concurrent occult HBV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) dual infection. METHODS: In total, 126 consecutive chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who received combined PEG-IFN and RBV therapy were included. Patients were divided into the occult HBV/HCV dual infection group or the HCV-monoinfected group according to whether or not they had the detectable serum HBV-DNA. The biochemical and virological responses to combined therapy were compared between these two groups. Serum HCV-RNA and HBV-DNA were checked before treatment, at the end of treatment as well as at 6- and 12-months' follow up in the occult HBV/HCV group. RESULT: Six patients were seropositive for HBV-DNA and were included in the occult HBV/HCV dual infection group. There were no statistical differences in the biochemical and virological responses to combined therapy between these two groups. Undetectable serum HBV-DNA was noted at the end of the treatment and the 6- and 12-months' follow up in patients with occult HBV/HCV dual infection. CONCLUSION: Occult HBV infection in CHC patients is rare. The biochemical and virological responses to combined PEG-IFN and RBV therapy might be similar in CHC patients with or without occult HBV infection. The serum HBV-DNA level was low in patients with occult HBV/HCV dual infection who responded to combined therapy.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is defined by the detectable serum HBV-DNA in HBV surface antigen-negative patients. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of combined pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) in patients with concurrent occult HBV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) dual infection. METHODS: In total, 126 consecutive chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who received combined PEG-IFN and RBV therapy were included. Patients were divided into the occult HBV/HCV dual infection group or the HCV-monoinfected group according to whether or not they had the detectable serum HBV-DNA. The biochemical and virological responses to combined therapy were compared between these two groups. Serum HCV-RNA and HBV-DNA were checked before treatment, at the end of treatment as well as at 6- and 12-months' follow up in the occult HBV/HCV group. RESULT: Six patients were seropositive for HBV-DNA and were included in the occult HBV/HCV dual infection group. There were no statistical differences in the biochemical and virological responses to combined therapy between these two groups. Undetectable serum HBV-DNA was noted at the end of the treatment and the 6- and 12-months' follow up in patients with occult HBV/HCV dual infection. CONCLUSION:Occult HBV infection in CHCpatients is rare. The biochemical and virological responses to combined PEG-IFN and RBV therapy might be similar in CHCpatients with or without occult HBV infection. The serum HBV-DNA level was low in patients with occult HBV/HCV dual infection who responded to combined therapy.
Authors: Conrado M Fernandez-Rodriguez; Maria Luisa Gutierrez; José Luis Lledó; Maria Luisa Casas Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2011-03-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Heba Ahmed Osman; Ali A Ghweil; Abeer Mm Sabry; Reem E Mahdy; Ashraf Khodeary Journal: Infect Drug Resist Date: 2019-09-30 Impact factor: 4.003
Authors: Gian Paolo Caviglia; Maria Lorena Abate; Paola Manzini; Franca Danielle; Alessia Ciancio; Chiara Rosso; Antonella Olivero; Rinaldo Pellicano; Giovanni Antonio Touscoz; Antonina Smedile; Mario Rizzetto Journal: Hepat Mon Date: 2012-11-30 Impact factor: 0.660