Study On The Short Term Efficacy Of Antiviral Therapy In Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Carriers

Objective:To evaluate the short term effect and safety of entecavir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus carriers.Methods:93 cases of chronic hepatitis B virus infection (hepatitis B surface Antigen positive, hepatitis B e Antigen positive, hepatitis B core Antibody positive, and HBV DNA?1×105 copies/ml) were divided into two groups:group A,47 cases of chronic HBV carriers, group B,46 cases of chronic hepatitis B. All of 93 cases were given 0.5mg entevavir orally once a day for 48 weeks. Virology, serology and biochemistry tests were performed at treatment weeks 0,4,12,24,48. Side effects of entecavir and the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were observed regularly. All statistical analysis were carried out using SPSS 18.0 statistical analysis software, T test or ×2 test were used respectively.Results:Partial virological response rates of group A and group B were 42.6% and 47.8% at week 4,57.4% and 65.2% at week 12,85.1% and 89.1% at week 24,100% and 100% at week 48, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Complete virological response rates of group A and group B were 14.9% and 17.4% at week 4,51.1% and 63.0% at week 12,76.6% and 89.1% at week 24, 97.9% and 100% at week 48,respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). No cases in either group experienced virologic breakthrough during the whole treatment course. Serological response (hepatitis B e Antigen turn negative) rates of group A and group B were 0 and 4.4% at week 4,2.1% and 8.7% at week 12,4.3% and 13.0% at week 24,8.5%and 21.7% at week 48, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). Hepatitis B e Antigen seroconversion rates of group A and group B were 0 and 0 at week 4,0 and 4.4% at week 12,2.1% and 10.9% at week 24,6.4% and 17.4% at week 48, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). No case in either group showed hepatitis B surface Antigen negative and seroconversion during the treatment course. Biochemical response (alanine aminotransferase normalization) rates of group B were 26.1% at week 4,65.2% at week 12,91.3% at week 24, and 97.8% at week 48. No case in either group showed biochemical breakthrough, liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma during the treatment course. There was no side effect of the entecavir treatment in either group.Conclusion:Antiviral therapy with entecavir is effective. safe and well tolerated in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers.