Better outcome of HBe Ag (-) than HBe Ag (+) lamivudine treatment of HBV chronically infected patients.

From May 2006 to December 2007 in Warsaw Hospital for Infectious Diseases one hundred and eight patients chronically infected HBV were treated with lamivudine. Among them 46 (42.5%) were HBeAg (+) and 62 (57.5%) HBeAg (-). HBV DNA levels were analysed in weeks 24, 48 and 72 of therapy using Real Time HBV PCR (Abbott) with a limit of detection of 28 copies/ml. Complete response for treatment was defined as HBV VL of less than 10(2) copies/ml (group A). Partial response was defined as HBV VL ranging from 10(2) to 10(5) copies/ml (group B), and treatment failure was determined by HBV VL above 10(5) copies/ml (group C). Presented results confirmed better response to lamivudine treatment in patients HBeAg (-) than HBeAg (+).