Lamivudine Plus Interferon Versus Lamivudine For The Treatment Of HBeAg Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

A Randomised Trial of Lamivudine Plus Interferon Versus Lamivudine for the Treatment of HBeAg Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

This is a single-centre prospective randomised study comparing the virological and histological response of HBV infection to lamivudine in combination with interferon versus lamivudine alone.

Inclusion criteria:

• Untreated chronic hepatitis B patients with evidence of HBV replication as documented by serum HNV-DNA positive within 3 months prior to entry and serum HBeAg positive at screening.
• Documented presence of abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (1.3 - 5X upper limit normal (ULN)) within 1 month prior to entry and signs of compensated liver disease.

Exclusion criteria:

• Patients with any cause for liver disease other than chronic hepatitis B and evidence or history of decompensated liver disease.