Double-blind study of leucocyte interferon administration in chronic HBsAg-positive hepatitis

In a double-blind study human leucocyte interferon was given for six weeks to 8 of 16 patients with chronic HBsAg-positive hepatitis. In the first week 12 x 10(6) reference units were administered daily, and thereafter the dose was halved every week. During the first two weeks leucopenia was observed in 6 of the 8 interferon-treated patients. Apart from a drop in DNA-polymerase activity in the first week, no effect was found on indices of hepatitis-B-virus infection.