Prolonged alpha interferon therapy for chronic delta hepatitis: effect on liver histopathology

Alpha interferon therapy in patients with chronic delta hepatitis treatment was associated with a decrease in serum aminotransferase activities and disappearance or decrease in serum levels of HDV RNA. Serum biochemical and serological changes were associated with amelioration of hepatic injury and a decrease (but not a disappearance) in hepatic HDAg on liver biopsy. Two cases lost HBsAg during therapy, only one of whom had lost hepatic HDAg entirely at the end of therapy. Interestingly, a decrease in HDV replication was associated with an apparent increase in HBV replication in some cases.