Peginterferon plus Adefovir versus Either Drug Alone for Hepatitis Delta

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is difficult to treat. In this randomized trial, patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a, with or without adefovir, were more likely to have HDV RNA clearance than those treated with adefovir alone. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that requires coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to replicate. The HDV genome is encapsidated by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which forms the viral envelope. The virus was first identified in 1977 in the serum of long-term carriers of HBsAg and was noted to have an increased prevalence among patients with liver damage. 1 In long-term carriers of HBV, HDV infection can result in fulminant acute hepatitis or severe chronic hepatitis, often progressing to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 2 – 6 Eight HDV genotypes have been suggested, 7 , 8 and both HDV and HBV . . .