This study investigated outcome predictors in Background and Aims: hepatitis-B-e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with A total of 88 HBeAg-positive patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a.

Methods: Weeks were months and followed up for at least 24 peginterferon alfa-2a for 6 prospectively analyzed. Precore and core promoter genes of hepatitis B virus  (HBV) were sequenced from the serial serum samples of 88 patients.

Results: Weeks of follow up, 38.6% and 28.4% of patients achieved HBeAg After 24 clearance and combined response, respectively. Multivariate analysis disclosed 200, alanine that pretreatment HBeAg sample to cut-off (S/Co) ratio ≤  aminotransferase>IU/mL, HBV genotype B and T1846 were independent 200  200 and HBV genotype B were ≤ factors for HBeAg clearance, and HBeAg S/Co ratio 10 at week 12 of ≤ major determinants for combined response. HBeAg S/Co ratio therapy was the useful factor for treatment response and had a greater power 0.012) to predict HBeAg clearance than HBV DNA. Patients with HBeAg = (P clearance had a higher frequency of A1896 mutation at baseline and during therapy than those without HBeAg clearance, and the frequency of A1896 decreased during treatment. During follow up, delayed HBeAg seroconversion and reactivation of HBV after HBeAg clearance were observed in eight non-responders and 20 patients with HBeAg clearance, respectively. HBV genotype B was a Pretreatment HBeAg significant factor to predict both responses.

Conclusions: 200 and HBV genotype B were major determinants for treatment ≤ S/Co ratio response to peginterferon. Genotype-B-infected patients had higher probability of delayed HBeAg clearance and sustained response. Rapid decrease of HBeAg titer was useful on treatment predictor.