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.

Effect of erythromycin before endoscopy in patients presenting with variceal bleeding: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Blood in the stomach and esophagus in patients with variceal bleeding often obscures the endoscopic view and makes endoscopic intervention difficult to perform. Erythromycin, a motilin agonist, induces gastric emptying.

Objective: To assess the effect of erythromycin on endoscopic visibility and its outcome in patients with variceal bleeding.

Prevalence of hepatitis delta antibody among HBsAG carriers in Saudi Arabia.

Background: There are a paucity of data available on the exact prevalence of delta hepatitis among HBsAg positive carriers in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine the exact prevalence of delta antibody in HBsAg positive carriers in Saudi Arabia.

Patients And Methods: Between January 1996 and January 1997 the serum of 19,250 patients was tested for HBsAg.