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Research ArticleOriginal Article
Open Access

Trial of lamivudine in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with persistent hepatitis B core IgM antibody

Hisham Y. Ali
Saudi Medical Journal September 2003, 24 (9) 996-999;
Hisham Y. Ali
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Mosul, PO Box 11313, Ninevah, Iraq. Tel. +964 60614203. Fax. +964 60778486. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The persistence of hepatitis B core immunoglobulin M (HBc IgM) antibody in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers is a risk factor with hidden dangers and forecasts the existence of liver damage. A trial of lamivudine in such subset of carriers was carried out for the first time in this study.

METHODS: A total of 62 HBsAg with hepatitis e antibody individuals (age range, 25-45 years) with persistent HBc IgM antibody were randomized to receive either 100 mg lamivudine (32/62) or placebo (30/62) daily for 6 months. The study was performed from June 2000 to October 2002. The carriers were regular attendees of the Virology Center in Mosul, North Iraq for follow up. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was performed to detect the different hepatitis B virus markers.

RESULTS: Among the lamivudine group, HBc IgM antibody seroclearance achievement rate was 81.3% and HBsAg seroconversion rate was 9.4% compared to 6.3% and 3.3% in the placebo group. Number of adverse clinical events were observed, but were of mild nature and tolerable by the participants who completed the study.

CONCLUSION: The trial of lamivudine in this subset of HBsAg carriers proved to be safe and efficacious. More studies are needed prior to recommending the drug for routine use on selected HBV carriers.

  • Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Saudi Medical Journal: 24 (9)
Saudi Medical Journal
Vol. 24, Issue 9
1 Sep 2003
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Trial of lamivudine in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with persistent hepatitis B core IgM antibody
Hisham Y. Ali
Saudi Medical Journal Sep 2003, 24 (9) 996-999;

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Trial of lamivudine in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with persistent hepatitis B core IgM antibody
Hisham Y. Ali
Saudi Medical Journal Sep 2003, 24 (9) 996-999;
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© 2025 Saudi Medical Journal Saudi Medical Journal is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention.  Saudi Medical Journal is an Open Access journal and articles published are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC). Readers may copy, distribute, and display the work for non-commercial purposes with the proper citation of the original work. Electronic ISSN 1658-3175. Print ISSN 0379-5284.

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