Trial of ribavirin for the treatment of HBsAg positive chronic liver disease

Abstract

Six patients with HBsAg positive chronic liver disease were treated with ribavirin, a nucleoside analogue, in a double-blind controlled trial. Serum aspartate transaminase levels and hepatitis B surface antigen concentrations decreased in only 1 patient while taking the drug, and his dose of prednisolone had been increased 3 weeks previously because of the severity of the hepatitis. The improvement was not repeated with a second course of ribavirin. Two of the patients had increased serum DNA polymerase activity, which was not reduced in relation to drug therapy. No therapeutic case for the use of ribavirin in the treatment of HBsAg positive chronic liver disease has been demonstrated.