Two-year results of a randomized, phase III comparative trial of telbivudine versus lamivudine in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: The burden of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in China, where prevalence exceeds 7 %. This was a randomized, double-blinded, phase III study of the efficacy and safety of telbivudine and lamivudine treatment at 104 weeks in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Hepatitis B e antigen-positive (n = 290) and -negative (n = 42) adults with nucleoside analog-naïve compensated chronic hepatitis B were randomized to receive telbivudine 600 mg/day or lamivudine 100 mg/day for 104 weeks. The primary endpoint was reduction from baseline in serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA at week 52. Week 104 analyses included HBV DNA reductions, undetectable HBV DNA (<300 copies/mL), ALT normalization, and e-antigen loss/seroconversion. Efficacy at week 104 was also assessed as a function of week 24 HBV DNA. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat population (n = 332) at week 104, telbivudine was superior to lamivudine for reduction of HBV DNA [-5.48 vs. -4.00 log10 copies/mL; difference -1.49 log10 (95 % confidence interval -2.2, -0.8); p < 0.0001], for the proportion with undetectable HBV DNA (61.9 vs. 38.5 %; p < 0.0001), for ALT normalization (75.8 vs. 61.3 %; p = 0.0049), and for e-antigen loss (39.9 vs. 28.2 %; p = 0.0373). The cumulative probability of genotypic drug resistance was 15.4 % on telbivudine versus 23.6 % on lamivudine through week 104. Early virologic response at week 24 was associated with improved outcomes at week 104. Adverse events were similar to those seen in the GLOBE study. CONCLUSIONS: Telbivudine is superior to lamivudine over 2 years of chronic hepatitis B treatment in Chinese patients.

Efficacy of switching to telbivudine in chronic hepatitis B patients treated previously with lamivudine.

BACKGROUND: Telbivudine showed greater antiviral suppression than lamivudine in phase II and III clinical trials. AIMS: The present phase IIIb, randomized, double-blind, multicentre global trial assessed the antiviral efficacy and safety of telbivudine switch in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who exhibited persistent viraemia under lamivudine therapy. METHODS: HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative adult patients (N=246) with persistent viraemia [hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA>3 log(10) copies/ml] under lamivudine treatment for 12-52 weeks were randomized (1:1) to continue lamivudine 100 mg/day or switch to telbivudine 600 mg/day for 1 year. Primary endpoint was the reduction in serum HBV DNA levels from baseline at Week 24. RESULTS: The mean reduction in serum HBV DNA levels from baseline with telbivudine was significantly higher than lamivudine at Week 24 (-1.9 ± 0.18 vs. -0.9 ± 0.27 log(10) copies/ml; P<0.001) and maintained through 1 year. The rate of treatment failure was significantly lower (P<0.001) for patients who switched to telbivudine (5%) compared with those who continued lamivudine (20%) after 52 weeks of treatment. In the telbivudine group, treatment failure occurred in only five patients with >24 weeks of prior lamivudine treatment, all associated with pre-existent lamivudine-resistant mutations. Genotypic resistance rates were higher in patients continuing lamivudine compared with those who switched to telbivudine with <24 weeks of lamivudine exposure. Both treatments were well tolerated with similar safety profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Early (≤ 24 weeks) switch to telbivudine improves virological outcomes in CHB patients with persistent viral replication under lamivudine treatment.

Prevalence of basal core promoter and precore mutations in Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients and correlation with serum HBeAG titers.

The A1762T and G1764A mutations in the basal core promoter (BCP) region and the G1896A mutation in the precore (PC) region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome are found commonly in HBeAg-negative patients. Experiments in vitro suggest that BCP and PC mutation reduce and abolish HBeAg expression, respectively. In the present study, the prevalence of the BCP and PC mutations were determined in 207 patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B from China and correlated with the titers of serum HBeAg. None of the patients received antiviral therapy. The HBV genotype was determined by direct sequencing of the HBsAg gene. The BCP and PC mutations were detected by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and confirmed by DNA sequencing. The HBeAg titer was measured by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Fifty-one of the 207 patients (24.6%) were infected with genotype B and the remainder with genotype C. The BCP mutations were detected in 103 patients (50%) while the PC mutation was present in 43 (20.8%). Thirteen patients (6.3%) harbored both BCP and PC mutations. No significant difference in the titers of HBeAg was found between patients infected with the two HBV genotypes, but the presence of either the BCP or PC mutation was associated with reduced HBeAg titer (P < 0.05). The presence of both the BCP and PC mutations was accompanied by even lower HBeAg titer (P < 0.05). These findings confirm that in patients with HBeAg, the BCP and PC mutations reduced the expression of HBeAg.

Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion and loss of hepatitis B virus DNA after acute flare due to development of drug resistant mutants during entecavir monotherapy.

AIMS: Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection under entecavir (ETV) treatment develop resistant mutants with viral rebound. Here, we report an interesting case of spontaneous loss of HBV-DNA and seroconversion following an acute flare after the development of ETV-resistant mutants. This patient received ETV after lamivudine breakthrough. METHODS: Cloning and sequence analysis of the HBV reverse transcriptase (RT) region were performed with seven samples during ETV therapy. In addition, two full-length HBV genomes derived from samples before and after the emergence of ETV resistance were sequenced. RESULTS: ETV resistant mutants appeared at week 228, with virological and biochemical rebound at the same time. Unexpectedly, HBeAg seroconversion occurred 8 weeks later. The viral load decreased and became undetectable from week 252. Analysis of HBV isolates in the patient at week 124 revealed that wild-type HBV was predominant at that time and ETV resistant mutants were not found among 20 clones. Interestingly, a new mutant type with rtL180M+rtT184L was found alongside rtL180M+rtT184L+rtM204V/I at week 228 and appeared to develop independently, according to the sequence analysis. In contrast to the previously identified ETV resistant mutants, it did not carry the rtM204V/I mutations. CONCLUSION: The data presented here indicates that the flare following the emergence of ETV resistant mutants may reflect immune-mediated control of HBV infection, leading to a spontaneous loss of HBV-DNA and seroconversion.

Fever of unknown origin: revisit of 142 cases in a tertiary Chinese hospital.

To investigate the causes of fever of unknown origin (FUO), we analyzed the clinical data on 142 patients with FUO admitted to our department from January 2002 to December 2003. After various examinations and specific treatment, a definitive diagnosis was reached in 122 cases. Of them, 51 cases (35.9%) were caused by infections, 46 (32.4%) were due to autoimmune diseases, 18 (12.7%) were due to tumors, 7 (4.9%) were due to other diseases, and in 20 (14.1%) the cause was still unknown after hospitalization. In conclusion, infection is the main cause of FUO. Autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors are both significant causes. Most patients with an FUO were ultimately diagnosed with various examinations and careful analysis.

Telbivudine versus lamivudine in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B: Results at 1 year of a randomized, double-blind trial.

UNLABELLED: Chronic hepatitis B and its life-threatening sequelae are highly prevalent in China. There is a need for effective new therapies to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and ameliorate liver disease. In this study, we compared the efficacy of telbivudine, a nucleoside analogue, with lamivudine in Chinese patients. In this phase III, double-blind, multicenter trial conducted in China, 332 patients with compensated hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive or HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were randomly assigned to treatment with 600 mg of telbivudine or 100 mg of lamivudine daily for 104 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was reduction in serum HBV DNA levels at week 52 of treatment. Secondary endpoints included clearance of HBV DNA to undetectable levels, HBeAg loss and seroconversion, therapeutic response, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization. Viral resistance and safety were assessed. At week 52, among 290 HBeAg-positive patients, mean reductions of serum HBV DNA were significantly greater in telbivudine recipients than lamivudine recipients (6.3 log(10) versus 5.5 log(10), P < 0.001), and HBV DNA was polymerase chain reaction-negative in significantly more telbivudine recipients than lamivudine recipients (67% versus 38%, P < 0.001). ALT normalization (87% versus 75%, P = 0.007), therapeutic response (85% versus 62%, P = 0.001), and HBeAg loss (31% versus 20%, P = 0.047) were also significantly more common in the telbivudine group. Treatment effects showed similar patterns in the smaller HBeAg-negative group (n = 42). Viral resistance in telbivudine recipients was approximately half that observed with lamivudine; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Clinical adverse events were similar in the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B, telbivudine treatment for 52 weeks provided greater antiviral and clinical efficacy than lamivudine, with less resistance.

[The degree of HBV suppression with 24 week telbivudine- or lamivudine-treatment in hepatitis B patients predicts the efficacy of the treatment at week 52].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibilities of an association between the degrees of HBV suppression with nucleoside treatments at week 24 and week 52 in hepatitis B patients and to find a useful predictor for treatment efficacy. METHODS: In this phase III, double-blind, multicenter trial, we compared the efficacy of telbivudine treatment with lamivudine treatment in 332 Chinese compensated chronic hepatitis B patients. The patients were randomly assigned to a daily 600 mg telbivudine treatment group or daily 100 mg lamivudine group for 24 weeks. They were then categorized into 4 groups according to their serum HBV DNA levels (copies/ml) at week 24: a PCR-undetectable group (< 300 copies/ml); a QL- < 10(3) copies/ml group; a 10(3)-<10(4) copies/ml group; and a > or = 10(4) copies/ml group. The treatments were continued as they previously had been for another 28 weeks and the patients serum HBV DNA levels were examined again. RESULTS: At week 52, mean reductions of serum HBV DNA were significantly greater in the telbivudine-treated patients than in the lamivudine-treated group (6.2 log10 vs 5.4 log10, t = 3.6, P < 0.01). Viral resistance was twice as common in lamivudine-treated patients compared to those receiving telbivudine. Telbivudine was well-tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of lamivudine. The lower the HBV DNA level achieved at week 24, the higher HBV DNA non-detectable by PCR. ALT normalization and HBeAg seroconversion achieved at week 52, and viral resistance at week 48 decreased parallel to the degree of HBV DNA inhibition. CONCLUSION: HBV DNA PCR-undetectable at week 24 in nucleoside-treated hepatitis B patients suggests a better efficacy at week 52 and lower viral resistance at week 48. The degree of suppression of HBV at week 24 may be used as a predictor of 1-year outcome.

Coexistence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and heterologous subtype-specific antibodies to HBsAg among patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been explained by the presence of viral escape mutants. Yet, no systematic analysis of such patients has been performed. We analyzed both the HBV strains and the nature of anti-HBs in such patients. METHODS: Four hundred eleven patients with chronic HBV infection were tested for the presence of anti-HBs. The sequences of the HBsAg coding region were analyzed. Anti-HBs were purified and examined in commercial assays alone and with 3 different HBsAg subtypes. RESULTS: Twenty patients had positive results for anti-HBs. This serological status remained stable for 12 months (as tested thus far). Amino acid substitutions and/or variations on HBsAg were found in 13 patients, and the HBV isolates from 4 others were wild types. Importantly, no significant difference in the occurrence of amino acid substitutions within the HBsAg was found in HBV isolates from patients with and without anti-HBs. Purified immunoglobulin fractions from serum samples from patients were reactive to HBsAg but had a lower specific activity, compared with those taken from immunized persons. Anti-HBs in patients were directed to the HBsAg subtypes other than the coexisting one. No circulating immune complex could be detected in these patients. CONCLUSION: HBsAg and anti-HBs with an unmatched specificity coexisted in 4.9% of patients. The presence of anti-HBs was not associated with the appearance of specific HBV mutants in patients with chronic infection. Apparently, the presence of anti-HBs in patients with chronic HBV infection did not lead to a selection of HBV escape mutants.

Genotype B and younger patient age associated with better response to low-dose therapy: a trial with pegylated/nonpegylated interferon-alpha-2b for hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B in China.

BACKGROUND: Cost and clinically significant adverse effects are the major limiting factors of interferon (IFN) use in therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A clinical trial was conducted in China to study the efficiency and clinical relevance of low-dose regimen of IFN treatment for chronic HBV infection and to reveal factors predicting sustained combined response. METHODS: During a randomized, open-label control study, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with chronic HBV infection (n=230) were assigned to receive pegylated IFN- alpha -2b (1.0 micro g/kg) (n=115) or IFN- alpha -2b (3 MIU; n=115) for a 24-week period. Sustained combined response was assessed 24 weeks after the completion of treatment. RESULTS: The greater rate of HBeAg loss in the pegylated IFN-group (23%) was the only statistically significant difference between the 2 treatment arms observed at the end of follow-up. The results of the multivariate statistical analysis revealed that HBV genotype B and patient age (< or =25 years) were 2 independent factors associated with sustained combined response. A total of 40% of patients with HBV genotype B aged < or =25-years achieved sustained combined response. Only 4 (1.7%) of 230 patients discontinued therapy because of clinically significant adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of low-dose IFN regimen might be a relevant clinical option to reduce the cost and adverse effects of therapy for younger patients with chronic HBV infection and genotype B infection in countries where it is prevalent.

[The rate of hepatitis B virus resistance to adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and the evolution of hepatitis B virus in lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B patients with ADV monotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the resistant rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to ADV and the dynamic evolution of HBV in lamivudine (Lam)-resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS: Twenty-three Lam-resistant CHB patients were assigned to a 10mg/d ADV monotherapy for 68-116 weeks. The baseline and different time point blood samples after ADV monotherapy were analyzed for ADV-resistant mutations using direct sequencing of PCR products; the evolution of HBV mutations was examined by clonal analysis of serial samples from one patient infected with ADV-associated resistant HBV strains. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of genotypic ADV resistance at weeks 48 and 96 was 4.3% and 10.5% respectively respectively. The evolution analysis of HBV mutant strains in an ADV-resistant CHB patient showed that the proportion of YMDD mutants gradually decreased with rtA181S mutants increasing over time after ADV monotherapy, and that rtA181S+N236T mutants became the predominant strains during prolonged ADV monotherapy. The addition of Lam to the ongoing ADV treatment had poorer antiviral response in the patient with rtA181S or rtA181S+N236T mutant infection; one clone with multi-drug resistant mutations was selected during Lam and ADV combination therapy. CONCLUSION: Increased risk of adefovir resistance and selection of multi-drug resistant mutations are associated with long-term ADV monotherapy in patients with Lam-resistant chronic hepatitis B.

[A double-blind, randomized, lamivudine-controlled clinical trial of DAIDING (adefovir dipivoxil) for lamivudine-resistant patients with chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV, DAIDING) for Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients with lamivudine (LAM) resistance. METHODS: This study was a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial. 209 chronic hepatitis B patients with LAM resistance were randomly put in an ADV, DAIDING or a LAM group. After 24 and 48-weeks of treatment, serum HBV DNA levels were measured by quantitative PCR and liver function tests; HBV serology and safety assessments were also conducted. RESULTS: The mean reduction of HBV DNA from baseline at 24 and 48 weeks was significantly greater in the ADV group compared with that in the LAM group (2.40 log10 vs 0.94 log10, P < 0.01; 2.71 log10 vs 1.07 log10, P < 0.01). In the ADV group, the virological response and ALT normalization at 24 and 48 weeks were significantly higher than those in the LAM group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the portion of HBeAg reduction, HBeAg seroconversion and incidence of adverse events. There was no severe adverse event related to the investigational product, DAIDING, in this trial. CONCLUSION: DAIDING (ADV) is effective and safe for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with LAM resistance.

Fatal liver failure with the emergence of hepatitis B surface antigen variants with multiple stop mutations after discontinuation of lamivudine therapy.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with lamivudine is effective and well-tolerated. However, discontinuation of the treatment is associated frequently with acute exacerbation of liver diseases. A patient suffering from acute liver failure after discontinuation of lamivudine treatment is described. The patient was treated with lamivudine for 4 months and ceased the treatment without consulting. After receiving lamivudine, the patient developed anti-HBs and became negative for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg). However, HBV DNA reappeared to a level of 6.47 x 10(5) copies/ml. The patient died due to acute liver failure. Sequencing of HBV isolates revealed that mutations including G145R and stop codons occurred within the HBsAg coding region. In conclusion, HBV replication resumed after the uncontrolled cessation of lamivudine treatment in this patient and may have triggered the process leading to liver failure. Anti-HBs antibody appeared and may be the selective force for the emergence of HBV mutants.

Cryptococcal antigen test revisited: significance for cryptococcal meningitis therapy monitoring in a tertiary chinese hospital.

For a total of 29 non-human immunodeficiency virus 1 cryptococcal meningitis cases, titer changes in the latex agglutination test before and after therapy were reviewed along with clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and therapy regimens. The cryptococcal antigen titer decreased for every case after therapy and was correlated to fungal clearance as defined by fungus smear and/or culture. However, cryptococcal antigen can remain at low titers for long periods of time after therapy, even when fungus smears and/or cultures become negative.

Multicenter clinical study on Fuzhenghuayu capsule against liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B.

AIM: To study the efficacy and safety of Fuzhenghuayu capsule (FZHY capsule, a capsule for strengthening body resistance to remove blood stasis) against liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, double blinded and parallel control experiment was conducted in patients (aged from 18 to 65 years) with liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B. Hepatic histologic changes and HBV markers were examined at wk 0 and 24 during treatment. Serologic parameters (HA, LM, P-III-P, IV-C) were determined and B ultrasound examination of the spleen and liver was performed at wk 0, 12 and 24. Liver function (liver function and serologic parameters for liver fibrosis) was observed at wk 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24. Blood and urine routine test, renal function and ECG were examined before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between experimental group (110 cases) and control group (106 cases) in demographic features, vital signs, course of illness, history for drug anaphylaxis and previous therapy, liver function, serologic parameters for liver fibrosis, liver histologic examination (99 cases in experimental group, 96 cases in control group), HBV markers, and renal function. According to the criteria for liver fibrosis staging, mean score of fibrotic stage(s) in experimental group after treatment (1.80) decreased significantly compared to the previous treatment (2.33, P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in mean score of fibrotic stage(s) (2.11 and 2.14 respectively). There was a significant difference in reverse rate between experimental group (52%) and control group (23.3%) in liver biopsy. With marked effect on decreasing the mean value of inflammatory activity and score of inflammation (P<0.05), Fuzhenghuayu capsule had rather good effects on inhibiting inflammatory activity and was superior to that of Heluoshugan capsule. Compared to that of pretreatment, there was a significant decrease in HA, LM, P-III-P and IV-C content in experimental group after 12 and 24 wk of treatment. The difference in HA, LM, P-III-P and IV-C content between 12 and 24 wk of treatment and pretreatment in experimental group was significantly greater than that in control group (P<0.01-0.05). The effect, defined as two of four parameters lowering more than 30% of the baseline, was 72.7% in experimental group and 27.4% in control group (P<0.01). Obvious improvement in serum Alb, ALT, AST and GGT was seen in two groups. Compared to that of control group, marked improvement in GGT and Alb was seen in experimental group (P<0.05). The effective rate of improvement in serum ALT was 72.7% in experimental group and 59.4% in control group. No significant difference was seen in blood and urine routine and ECG before and after treatment. There was also no significant difference in stable rate in ALT and serologic parameters for liver fibrosis between experimental group and control group after 12 wk of withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Fuzhenghuayu capsule has good therapeutic effects on alleviating liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B without any adverse effect and is superior to that of Heluoshugan capsule.

Major outbreak of toxic shock-like syndrome caused by Streptococcus mitis.

Severe illness caused by viridans streptococci rarely occurs in immunocompetent hosts. Between December 1990 and May 1991, thousands of patients in the YangZi River Delta area of Jiangsu Province, China, suffered from scarlet fever-like pharyngitis. Fewer cases occurred in subsequent years with the same seasonality. Approximately half of the cases developed complications characteristic of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS). Throat cultures yielded predominant growth of alpha-hemolytic streptococci. All cases admitted to Haian People's Hospital were investigated. Clinical specimens were collected, medical records were reviewed, and bacterial isolates were identified phenotypically and analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Proteins were purified from culture supernatants by extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and fast-protein liquid chromatography. Biological activities of protein components were determined by subcutaneous inoculation into rabbits. A total of 178 cases of non-beta-hemolytic streptococcal scarlet fever-like pharyngitis were studied. In 88 (79.3%) of 111 patients, oropharyngeal swab cultures grew morphologically identical alpha-hemolytic streptococci. A protein in culture supernatants was pyrogenic in rabbits, was mitogenic for splenocytes, and enhanced rabbit susceptibility to endotoxin challenge. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this 34-kDa protein showed no homology with known Streptococcus pyrogenic exotoxins. The organism was identified as Streptococcus mitis based on biochemical and 16S rRNA sequence analyses. Representative outbreak isolates from 1990 to 1995 displayed identical PFGE patterns. This TSLS outbreak in southeastern China was caused by a toxigenic clone of S. mitis. An apparently novel toxin may explain the unusual virulence of this organism.

[Multicenter clinical study about the action of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule against liver fibrosis with chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FZHY Capsule) against liver fibrosis with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Multicentric, randomized, double blinded and paralleled control led trial was conducted on patients (aged between 18 and 65) with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B Indexes observed: (1) hepatic histological changes and HBV markers were observed at 0 and 24th week during the treatment; serological indexes (HA, LN, P-III-P, IV-C) were determined and B ultrasound examination of spleen and liver was taken at 0, 12th, 24th week; liver function (during the period of follow-up, liver function and serological indexes for liver fibrosis were evaluated) were observed at 0, 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th week; (2) indexes for safety: blood and urine routine tests, renal function and ECG were examined. RESULTS: (1) Enrollment and demographic data: There was no significant difference between the trial (110 cases) and control group (106 cases) in demographic feature, vital signs, course of illness, history for drug anaphylaxis, history of previous therapy, liver function, serological indexes for liver fibrosis, liver histological examination (99 cases for test group, 96 cases for control group), HBV markers, and renal function, etc. (2) Histological pathological examination: 93 cases of liver histological examination were taken, of these 50 cases for the trial group and 43 cases for control group which turned out to be at S mean value of 2.33 and 2.11 respectively pretreatment according to criteria for liver fibrosis staging. Post-treatment, the trial showed a significant decrease with S value of 1.80 compared to that of pretreatment; however, there was no significant improvement in control group before and after the treatment with S mean value of 2.14. There was significant difference in reversing rate (decrease at least 1 stage according to criteria for liver fibrosis staging) between the trial (52%) and control (23.3%) after liver biopsy. The trial had a rather good effect on improving inflammatory activity and was superior to control group with a marked decrease of mean value of inflammatory activity and score of inflammation (P<0.05). (3)Serological indexes for liver fibrosis: There was a significant decrease in HA, LN, P-III-P, IV-C content in test group after 12 and 24 weeks' treatment compared to that of pretreatment; the differences of HA, LN, P-III-P, IV-C between 12, 24 weeks' treatment and pretreatment were significantly greater than control group (P<0.01 or 0.05); the effectual was defined as 2 of 4 indexes lowered more than 30% of the baseline, according to this criteria, the trial was 72.7%, while control group 27.4% (P<0.01). (4)Liver function: Obvious improvement of serum Alb, ALT, AST, GGT was seen in 2 groups; compared with control group, marked improvement of GGT and Alb in the trial (P<0.05); the effective rate of serum ALT in the trial group was 72.7%, while control 59.4%. (5)No changes of significant difference between pre- and post-treatment in routine tests for blood and urine, renal function and ECG, etc. There was also no difference in the stable rate of ALT and serological indexes for liver fibrosis between the trial and control group 12 weeks after withdrawal (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fuzheng Huayu Capsule has good effect on alleviating liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B without any adverse effect and is superior to Heluo Shugan Capsule. Fuzheng Huayu Capsule is a safe and effective medicine for the treatment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.

Enterococcus faecium-related outbreak with molecular evidence of transmission from pigs to humans.

Between 24 July and 31 August 1998, thousands of domestic pigs died of hemorrhagic shock in three adjunct counties along the YangZi River in Jiangshu Province, China. From 28 July to 6 September 1998, 40 local farmers (36 males and 4 females, ages 23 to 78 years) were hospitalized with severe illness characterized by high fever, erythematous rash or petechiae, and profound lethargy after contact with sick pigs. Twelve (30%) of these patients died of respiratory failure and shock. Eleven bacterial isolates recovered from 11 blood and cerebrospinal fluid specimens collected from seven patients and two pigs were identified as Enterococcus faecium based on biochemical reactions and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Both pig and human E. faecium isolates displayed indistinguishable antibiotic susceptibility and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. These data strongly suggest the spread of an outbreak of E. faecium-related sepsis from pigs to humans.