Modification of hepatitis B virus infection by recombinant leukocyte alpha A interferon.

A defect in alpha interferon production in patients with chronic type B hepatitis offers a rationale principle for treating this disease with interferon. Two trials with interferon in chronic type B hepatitis indicate that this therapy achieves an elimination of HBsAg and HBeAg significantly higher than spontaneous. Our study and that of others indicate, however, that the response to interferon therapy is dependent on many variables including: the type of interferon, the interferon dose, duration of interferon treatment, sex, sexual preference in men and coinfection with other viruses. As of the multiple modes of action of interferon, a better understanding of viral replication, of the antiviral action of interferon in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and of the immunomodulatory action of interferon in HBV infection will help to improve the treatment of chronic HBV infection with interferon.