Extended lamivudine consolidation therapy in hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients improves sustained hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion.

Objectives: Longer lamivudine (LAM) consolidation therapy after hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion has been demonstrated to reduce the cumulative relapse rate. However, the optimal interval of LAM consolidation therapy remains controversial. We evaluated the post-treatment durability of LAM-induced HBeAg seroconversion and the length of LAM consolidation therapy required to maintain sustained HBeAg seroconversion.