Evolution of hepatitis B virus polymerase gene mutations in hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients receiving lamivudine therapy.

Lamivudine has been shown to be effective in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B, but its long-term efficacy and the rate of resistant mutations in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B is less clear. Twenty-nine patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, who have received lamivudine for at least 1 year were studied to determine the antiviral response, the rate and pattern of lamivudine-resistant mutations, and the effect of lamivudine-resistant mutations on HBeAg status. The mean duration of treatment was 21 +/- 7 months. Before treatment, core promoter variant was detected in 16 (55%) patients and precore stop codon variant in 18 (62%) patients. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected by solution hybridization assay in 62%, 4%, and 24% and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in 100%, 31%, and 40% at months 0, 6, and 24, respectively. The cumulative rates of detection of lamivudine-resistant mutations after 1 and 2 years of treatment were 10% and 56%, respectively. In addition to the duration of treatment, core promoter mutation was associated with the selection of lamivudine-resistant mutants. Three patients with lamivudine-resistant mutations had reversion of the precore stop codon mutation; in 2 patients this was accompanied by the reappearance of HBeAg. We found that lamivudine-resistant mutants were detected at similar rates in patients with HBeAg-negative as in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Additional changes in other parts of the HBV genome may restore the replication fitness of lamivudine-resistant mutants.

[Interrelationship between oral contraceptives and some parameters of the coagulative-fibrinolytic function (author's transl)].

PIP: The effect of 2 oral contraceptives (OCs) (0.05 mg ethinyl estradiol + 0.250 mg norgestrel; 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol + 0.125 mg norgestrel) on some parameters of the coagulative-fibrinolytic function was studied in a group of young women 19-26 years of age. To this end, blood samples were taken before OC use and during the 2nd month of suspension after 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48 months of treatment. The parameters examined were: fibrinogen, plasminogen, antithrombin 3, chi 2 macroglobulin, and FDP. The most significant data (presented in tabular form) were: the gradual reduction of antithrombin 3 until the 36th month of treatment, the diminution of chi 2 macroglobulin, the progressive increase of FDP, and the stability of fibrinogen and plasminogen during the period of observation. (author's)^ieng

[Oestroprogestogen interference on some haematochemical parameters: glycaemia, lipid metabolism and hepatic functionality (author's transl)].

PIP: The collateral effects of 2 oral contraceptives (OCs) (0.05 mg ethinyl estradiol + 0.250 mg norgestrel; 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol + 0.125 mg norgestrel) were studied in a group of young women ages 19-26. These effects were investigated by evaluating some hemato-chemical parameters such as glycemia; lipid metabolism (triglycerides, cholesterol, and total lipids); and hepatic functionality (SGOT, SGPT, serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase). Blood samples were taken before OC use and then during the 2nd month of suspension after 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48 months of treatment. This research, carried out over a period of 4 years found no significant variations which would necessitate cessation of treatment. (author's)^ieng