The value of quantitative measurement of HBeAg and HBsAg before interferon-α treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children

Quantitative analysis of HBsAg, IgM anti-HBc and anti-HBc avidity in acute and chronic hepatitis B

“…The diagnostic assays available at that time did not allow routine quantitative testing for HBsAg, and a decade passed before other authors (Zoulim et al, 1992), employing an automated assay, suggested the possible role of this marker also in the monitoring of chronic HBV infection, and in particular its predictive value on the outcome of interferon therapy (Burczynska et al, 1994). Two weak points of those studies were the limited dynamic range of the assays, with the ensuing need of performing multiple dilutions, and the need to employ an external standard, also at serial dilutions, since all HBsAg assays were qualitative.…”

The role of quantitative hepatitis B serology in the natural history and management of chronic hepatitis B

“…The use of HBeAg as a potential biomarker in predicting responses to peginterferon alfa therapy and, thus, guiding management algorithms is beginning to emerge. Studies evaluating the dynamic changes in quantitative HBeAg titer have been conducted with both standard interferon alfa and peginterferon in adults as well as children [20,22,[36][37][38]. In these studies, virologic responders tend to have either lower pretreatment HBeAg titers or display significant decline during therapy.…”

Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B: enhanced response in children 5 years old or younger

“…4 Two reports have suggested that young children with chronic HBV infection may have higher response rates to IFN treatment. 5,6 In the largest study to date, 3 younger children were more likely to respond and clear HBsAg, but detailed age-related response data were not reported.We hypothesized that younger children with chronic hepatitis caused by HBV would have a higher response rate to IFN treatment as compared with older children. Therefore, our aim was to assess the response to IFN treatment for chronic HBV in a group of consecutively treated children at our center, focusing on the response to treatment in young children, the role of other proposed variables, and the response during long-term follow-up.…”

“…4 Two reports have suggested that young children with chronic HBV infection may have higher response rates to IFN treatment. 5,6 In the largest study to date, 3 younger children were more likely to respond and clear HBsAg, but detailed age-related response data were not reported.…”