Efficacy of peginterferon α-2a and predictors of response in HBeAg-negative, genotype D-naive patients.

Background: Peginterferon (PEG-IFN) α-2a has been shown to induce a sustained virologic response (SVR) in 20-30% of "hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)"-negative patients.

Aim: To determine the safety and efficacy of PEG-IFN α-2a in HBeAg-negative, genotype D-naive patients and to analyze the predictors of response.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized trial was conducted at four hospitals.

Herpes simplex ulcerative esophagitis in healthy children.

Herpes simplex virus is a common cause of ulcerative esophagitis in the immunocompromised or debilitated host. Despite a high prevalence of primary and recurrent Herpes simplex virus infection in the general population, Herpes simplex virus esophagitis (HSVE) appears to be rare in the immunocompetent host. We report three cases of endoscopically-diagnosed HSVE in apparently immunocompetent children; the presentation was characterized by acute onset of fever, odynophagia, and dysphagia.