Dinamic of viral load during and after peginterferon alfa-2a therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients in Kosova

Abstract

Objective: To present dynamic of viral load during and after peginterferon alfa-2a therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients treating in Infectious Disease Clinic in Prishtina and to present their association with HBeAg status. In this study coinfection with other hepatotropic viruses and other chronic liver diseases are not included. Methods: In the study patients who are treated with chronic hepatitis B in the University Clinical Center of Kosova in Infectious Disease Clinic in the period 2009–2012 are included. The serological and laboratory aspects are analyzed. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level at the beginning of therapy was followed, week 24 at the end of treatment. Results: In the study 61 patients, males 50 (81.9%) and females 11 (18.03%) are included. All the patients were HBsAg positive, age >18 years. Mean age was 44.5 years. Most individuals 54(88.5%) were HBeAg negative. Median serum ALT level was 40.2 U/L. The level of HBV-DNA ranged from 3181 to 24,086,106 UI/ml. Median HBV-DNA level in patients with HBeAg negative before therapy was 8,452,751 UI/ml and after therapy 419 UI/ml. In patients with HBeAg positive median HBV-DNA levels after therapy was 3,199,161 UI/ml. After 6 month therapy HBV-DNA was undetectable 87.5% in patients with HBeAg negative and in patients with HBeAg positive HBV-DNA was undetectable in 9% of the cases. Conclusion: Level of HBV-DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B has significance to the risk of progression of disease. Patients with high HBV-DNA levels who are susceptible to disease progression are to be identified among patients with normal or slightly elevated ALT.