COVID-19 in patients with familial Mediterranean fever treated with colchicine: case based review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) refers to the clinical picture of an important and severe infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Considering the current knowledge on the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of COVID-19, it is safe to state that both COVID-19 and inflammatory rheumatic disorders cause a cytokine storm and merit treatment with anti-rheumatic drugs. Three patients, who were on regular follow-up due to the diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), contracted COVID-19 infection; and their pre-clinical and post-clinical data as well as laboratory, prognosis and treatment data were investigated. Effects of colchicine in FMF patients who contracted COVID-19 infection were presented in this study. All the cases recovered from COVID-19 without complications. The present study suggests that colchicine can positively affect the prognosis of COVID-19 in FMF patients; therefore, experience of rheumatologists in the use of anti-inflammatory drugs can be highly instrumental in management of COVID-19 patients.

Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach, over 8 years, in 11 cities of Turkey.

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach in Turkey and analyse predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance. DESIGN: An observational, prospective, interventional, before-and-after study was conducted from August 2003 to August 2011 in 12 intensive care units (ICU) of 12 hospitals in 11 cities. The study was divided into a baseline and a follow-up period and included random 30-minute observations for hand hygiene compliance in ICU. The hand hygiene approach included administrative support, supplies availability, education and training, reminders in the workplace, process surveillance, and performance feedback. RESULTS: We observed 21,145 opportunities for hand hygiene. Overall hand hygiene compliance increased from 28.8% to 91% (95% CI 87.6-93.0, p 0.0001). Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that several variables were significantly associated with poor hand hygiene compliance: males vs. females (39% vs. 48%; 95% CI 0.79-0.84, p 0.0001), ancillary staff vs. physicians (35% vs. 46%, 95% CI 0.73-0.78, p 0.0001), and adult vs. pediatric ICUs (42% vs. 74%, 95% CI 0.54-0.60, p 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to hand hygiene was significantly increased with the INICC Hand Hygiene Approach. Specific programmes should be directed to improve hand hygiene in variables found to be predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance.

Seroprevalences and associated risk factors of hepatitis B and C in adults.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. In this study we aimed to find out seroprevalences and associated risk factors of hepatitis B and C in adults in Düzce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of study was determined with a cluster-type sampling method. The study included 1321 people, consisting of 667 women and 654 men who were 18 years or older. A questionnaire about demographic information and risk factors was applied. RESULTS: Seroprevalences of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV were 4.8%, 9.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. HBsAg seroprevalences were found to be statistically higher in the dental visit group (8.9% versus 4.0%, P = 0.002) and in people living within the same house with hepatitis B carriers (11.5% versus 4.6%, P = 0.036). Living in Düzce during the 1999 earthquake and staying in prefabricated houses after the earthquake were not risk factors of HBsAg carriage. CONCLUSION: HBsAg and anti-HCV seroprevalences in Düzce were in parallel with the previous data from Turkey and a low ratio of anti-HBs appeared. Identifying risk groups with large epidemiological screening studies and vaccination of nonimmune people are essential.

Predictors of response to pegylated interferon treatment in HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B.

INTRODUCTION: Although pegylated interferons (pegIFNs) alpha-2a and alpha-2b have been used in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment for many years, there are few studies concerning predictors of sustained virologic response (SVR) to pegIFN therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the predictors of response to pegIFN treatment in cases with HBeAg-negative CHB infection. METHODOLOGY: Seventeen tertiary care hospitals in Turkey were included in this study. Data from consecutively treated HBeAg-negative CHB patients, who received either pegIFN alpha-2a or alpha-2b, were collected retrospectively. SVR is defined as an HBV DNA concentration of less than 2,000 IU/mL six months after the completion of therapy RESULTS: SVR was achieved in 40 (25%) of the 160 HBeAg-negative CHB patients. Viral loads in patients with SVR were lower compared to those with no SVR, beginning in the third month of treatment (p < 0.05). The number of cases with a decline of 1 log10 IU/mL in viral load after the first month of treatment and with a serum HBV DNA level under 2,000 IU/mL after the third month of treatment was higher in cases with SVR (p < 0.05). The number of patients who had undetectable HBV DNA levels at week 48 among responders was significantly greater than among post-treatment virological relapsers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of a 1 log10 decline in serum HBV DNA level at the first month of treatment and a serum HBV DNA level < 2000 IU/mL at the third month of therapy may be predictors of SVR.

Critical evaluation of antimicrobial use--a Turkish university hospital example.

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobials are being used unnecessarily for different reasons. The aims of this study were: assessment of the quality of antimicrobial use and determination of the factors related to correct use. METHOD: Antimicrobial practice at Dicle University Hospital (DUH) was evaluated with a point prevalence approach. Using a standardized data collection form, the patients' data (clinic, epidemiology, laboratory and antimicrobial use) was collected. Possible influential factors on antimicrobial use were examined. RESULTS: In the surveillance study 1,350 inpatients were evaluated; 461 (34.1%) of them were using antimicrobials for treatment and 187 (13.9%) for prophylaxis. Antimicrobial indication was found in 355 of 461 patients (77.0%), and the number of antimicrobials was 1.8 per patient in the treatment group. The most common reason for antimicrobial use was community-acquired infection (57.9%). Pneumonia (20.4%), skin and soft tissue infections (9.11%) and urinary tract infections (7.9%) were the most common infectious diseases. Positive culture results were available for 39 patients (8.5.0%) when antimicrobial treatment started. All steps of antimicrobial use were found appropriate in 243 patients (52.7%). In multivariate analyses, clinical manifestation of infection at the beginning (p <0.001), presence of leukocyte counting (p <0.001) and prescription by an infectious disease specialist were found significantly positive factors for wholly appropriate antimicrobial use. Hospitalization with a diagnosis other than infection was found a significantly negative factor for appropriate antimicrobial use (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The quality of antimicrobial use could be improved with better clinical and laboratory diagnosis and consultation with infectious diseases specialists.

Impact of a multidimensional infection control approach on central line-associated bloodstream infections rates in adult intensive care units of 8 cities of Turkey: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC).

BACKGROUND: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABs) have long been associated with excess lengths of stay, increased hospital costs and mortality attributable to them. Different studies from developed countries have shown that practice bundles reduce the incidence of CLAB in intensive care units. However, the impact of the bundle strategy has not been systematically analyzed in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) setting in developing countries, such as Turkey. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional infection control approach to reduce the rates of CLAB in 13 ICUs of 13 INICC member hospitals from 8 cities of Turkey. METHODS: We conducted active, prospective surveillance before-after study to determine CLAB rates in a cohort of 4,017 adults hospitalized in ICUs. We applied the definitions of the CDC/NHSN and INICC surveillance methods. The study was divided into baseline and intervention periods. During baseline, active outcome surveillance of CLAB rates was performed. During intervention, the INICC multidimensional approach for CLAB reduction was implemented and included the following measures: 1- bundle of infection control interventions, 2- education, 3- outcome surveillance, 4- process surveillance, 5- feedback of CLAB rates, and 6- performance feedback on infection control practices. CLAB rates obtained in baseline were compared with CLAB rates obtained during intervention. RESULTS: During baseline, 3,129 central line (CL) days were recorded, and during intervention, we recorded 23,463 CL-days. We used random effects Poisson regression to account for clustering of CLAB rates within hospital across time periods. The baseline CLAB rate was 22.7 per 1000 CL days, which was decreased during the intervention period to 12.0 CLABs per 1000 CL days (IRR 0.613; 95% CI 0.43 - 0.87; P 0.007). This amounted to a 39% reduction in the incidence rate of CLAB. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of multidimensional infection control approach was associated with a significant reduction in the CLAB rates in adult ICUs of Turkey, and thus should be widely implemented.

Impact of a multidimensional infection control approach on catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates in adult intensive care units in 10 cities of Turkey: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium findings (INICC).

BACKGROUND: We evaluate the effectiveness of a multidimensional infection control approach for the reduction of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in 13 intensive care units (ICUs) in 10 hospital members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from 10 cities of Turkey. METHODS: A before-after prospective active surveillance study was used to determine rates of CAUTI. The study was divided into baseline (phase 1) and intervention (phase 2). In phase 1, surveillance was performed applying the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network. In phase 2, we implemented a multidimensional approach that included bundle of infection control interventions, education, surveillance and feedback on CAUTI rates, process surveillance, and performance feedback. We used random effects Poisson regression to account for clustering of CAUTI rates across time periods. RESULTS: The study included 4,231 patients, hospitalized in 13 ICUs, in 10 hospitals, in 10 cities, during 49,644 patient-days. We recorded a total of 41,871 urinary catheter (UC)-days: 5,080 in phase 1 and 36,791 in phase 2. During phase 1, the rate of CAUTI was 10.63 per 1,000 UC-days and was significantly decreased by 47% in phase 2 to 5.65 per 1,000 UC-days (relative risk, 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.4-0.7; P value = .0001). CONCLUSION: Our multidimensional approach was associated with a significant reduction in the rates of CAUTI in Turkey.

The accuracy and validity of a weekly point-prevalence survey for evaluating the trend of hospital-acquired infections in a university hospital in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of a weekly point-prevalence survey (WPS) by comparing it with a prospective-active incidence survey (PIS). METHODS: WPS and PIS were conducted at a tertiary referral hospital between January and December 2006. Each Wednesday, an infection control team reviewed all clinical records of patients with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) by WPS. Routine PIS was conducted with daily visits by the same team. The Rhame and Sudderth formula was used for converting the data between WPS and PIS. RESULTS: During the study period, 1287 HAIs were detected in 37 466 patients by WPS. The mean observed prevalence and calculated prevalence were 5.42% and 5.45%, respectively. The reanimation intensive care unit (ICU) (49.4%) and burns unit (27.6%) had the highest prevalence rates. Pneumonia (0.94%) and urinary tract infections (0.37%) were the most frequent infections. Overall 602 HAIs were detected in 545 patients by PIS. The mean observed incidence and calculated incidence were 2.42/1000-admissions and 2.41/1000-admissions, respectively. The Critical care ICU (37.0/1000-admissions) and burns unit (24.8/1000-admissions) had the highest incidences of HAI. Pneumonia (0.64/1000-admissions) and urinary tract infections (0.37/1000-admissions) were the most frequent infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a close relationship between prevalence and incidence data. WPS may be a useful method for following HAIs when PIS cannot be performed.

Acute hepatitis: a rare complication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.

Infectious Mononucleosis (IM), a benign lymphoproliferative disease, is the best known clinical syndrome caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). It usually resolves over a period of weeks or months without sequelae but may occasionally be complicated by a wide variety of neurologic, hematologic, hepatic, respiratory, and psychological complications. In this report we describe a patient with acute hepatitis following EBV-IM in a previously healthy woman. A 26-year-old woman who presented with fever, generalized weakness, nausea, sore throat, yellowing of skin, and a generalized skin rash was admitted to our clinic. Tonsillar enlargement, pharyngeal erythema, palatal petechiae, lymphadenopathy, and jaundice were noted. Significant atypical lymphocytes ( > 10%) were seen on the peripheral blood smear. Liver function tests such as ALT: 303 U/L, AST: 172 U/L, ALP: 193 U/L and total bilirubin: 7.3 mg/dl were elevated. Serological tests for EBV infection were consistent with acute infection (EBV virus capsid antigen was reactive with IgM and IgG antibodies). The Monospot test was also positive. On the seventh day, liver function tests and bilirubin had risen to peak level and platelets were decreased. The patient was managed supportively and her critical condition improved and was finally stabilized. Although the prognosis for IM is very favorable, a variety of acute complications may occur.

Brucellar epididymo-orchitis in southeastern part of Turkey: an 8 year experience.

OBJECTIVE: the different clinical and laboratory features and response to treatment of patients with acute brucellar epididymo-orchitis (BEO) reporting to the reference hospital in Southeastern Anatolia of Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: in this study, 27 male patients with brucellosis, who presented with epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis (EO) at the university hospital in Diyarbakir from 1998 to 2006, were included. They were compared with the other male patients. Positive blood culture or high agglutination titers of > 1/160 and positive clinical manifestations of brucellosis were the main criteria for diagnosing brucellosis. RESULTS: fourteen patients had unilateral EO. Leukocytosis was present in 10 patients; all of them had initial agglutination titers of > 1/160 and 10 patients had a positive blood culture. All patients received combined therapy with streptomycin for the first 21 days (or oral rifampicin for 6-8 weeks) with doxycycline or tetracycline for 6-8 weeks. All showed improvement, fever subsided in 3-7 days, and the scrotal enlargement and tenderness regressed. Only one patient had a relapse within one year. CONCLUSION: in brucellosis-endemic areas, clinicians encountering EO should consider the likelihood of brucellosis. In this study, young age was the most common risk factor, and leukocytosis and high CRP level were the most common laboratory findings. Most cases were unilateral. All patients responded to medical management very well. Conservative management with combination antibiotic therapy was adequate for managing BEO. Conclusively, brucellosis must be considered as a cause of orchitis, especially in endemic regions like Turkey.

Brucellar epididymo-orchitis in southeastern part of Turkey: an 8 year experience

OBJECTIVE: the different clinical and laboratory features and response to treatment of patients with acute brucellar epididymo-orchitis (BEO) reporting to the reference hospital in Southeastern Anatolia of Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: in this study, 27 male patients with brucellosis, who presented with epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis (EO) at the university hospital in Diyarbakir from 1998 to 2006, were included. They were compared with the other male patients. Positive blood culture or high agglutination titers of > 1/160 and positive clinical manifestations of brucellosis were the main criteria for diagnosing brucellosis. RESULTS: fourteen patients had unilateral EO. Leukocytosis was present in 10 patients; all of them had initial agglutination titers of > 1/160 and 10 patients had a positive blood culture. All patients received combined therapy with streptomycin for the first 21 days (or oral rifampicin for 6-8 weeks) with doxycycline or tetracycline for 6-8 weeks. All showed improvement, fever subsided in 3-7 days, and the scrotal enlargement and tenderness regressed. Only one patient had a relapse within one year. CONCLUSION: in brucellosis-endemic areas, clinicians encountering EO should consider the likelihood of brucellosis. In this study, young age was the most common risk factor, and leukocytosis and high CRP level were the most common laboratory findings. Most cases were unilateral. All patients responded to medical management very well. Conservative management with combination antibiotic therapy was adequate for managing BEO. Conclusively, brucellosis must be considered as a cause of orchitis, especially in endemic regions like Turkey.

A case of brucellar spondylodiscitis involving the cervical spine.

We have presented a patient of 71-year-age with brucellar spondylodiscitis, involving the cervical spine, especially the C3-C4 segment. The patient had painful percussion of the cervical spine and passive mobilization of the neck, decreased range of motion, and cervical paravertebral tenderness; but no abnormalities observed on neurological examination. Wright agglutination test for brucella was positive at 1/320. Cervical localization for brucellar spondylodiscitis is an unusual case and should be detected and treated as early as possible. In endemic regions, spinal involvement of brucellosis should be considered in cases with fever, neck and low back pain.

A case of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in a previously healthy woman.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pyogenes is a well-known cause of a variety of clinical infections including local symptoms such as tonsillopharyngitis, cervical lymphadenitis, otitis media, cellulites, erysipelas, as well as more severe diseases such as scarlet fever, osteomyelitis, necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis, and toxic shock syndrome. However, acute bacterial meningitis caused by this pathogen is unusual. OBJECTIVE: We report a case of group A streptococcus (GAS) meningitis in a previously healthy woman with a dramatically rapid course and fatal outcome. CASE: A 41-year-old previously healthy woman presented a history of fever, headache, vomiting, and sore throat of three days' duration. Neurological examination revealed diminished consciousness and neck rigidity. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was turbid with 10,000 leukocytes/mm(3). Direct examination of CSF showed Gram-positive cocci in chains, and cultures yielded S. pyogenes. Blood cultures yielded growth of S. pyogenes. The patient was treated initially with ceftriaxone (4 g/day) and the control CSF examination was not changed on the third day, so vancomycin (2 g/day) was added to the treatment; however, she died on the fourth day of the treatment. CONCLUSION: S. pyogenes meningitis is uncommon and the incidence seems to be persistently low; nevertheless, clinicians should be aware that sporadic cases may occur and may have a fulminant course with a relevant neurological sequel.

Sacroiliitis caused by Salmonella typhi.

Although the commonest manifestation of Salmonella infection is acute gastroenteritis, infection may spread to the blood-stream may and the illness can present with focal lesions in almost any organ with or without septicemia. We describe here a case of Salmonella typhi infection of a sacroiliac joint that was cured with ciprofloxacin therapy for six weeks. The patient was immunologically normal. Salmonella etiology was not suspected in this case, and the diagnosis was made only after bacterial isolation. Physicians should be aware of this rare manifestation of Salmonella infection, especially in endemic areas.

Are sinus-track cultures reliable for identifying the causative agent in chronic osteomyelitis?

PURPOSE: The infection of bone that contains bone marrow called osteomyelitis, and is caused by different microorganisms. In this study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic value and accuracy of cultures of material from a sinus track compared with those of cultures of bone specimens that have been controversial. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Prospective study was conducted at Hospital University of Dicle, a 1,090-bed university-based hospital located in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Between May 2005 and September 2006, sinus-track cultures were compared with those of bone cultures from 43 patients with chronic osteomyelitis. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 30.6 +/- 3.6 years, and 29 (67%) male and 14 (33%) female. Organisms isolated from bone cultures were Staphylococcus 69% (29/42), Escherichia coli 9.5% (4/42), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 9.5% (4/42), Proteus mirabilis 7% (3/42), respectively. Cultures of sinus track and bone specimens gave identical results in 38% of patients. CONCLUSION: The value of bone culture in the therapy of osteomyelitis must be emphasized; it is the only reliable means of determining the responsible agent, up on which the antibiotic therapy is based. The correlation between sinus track and bone cultures was 38%, i.e., failure in the treatment for 6 patients out of 10.

Efficacy and safety of pegylated-interferon alpha-2a in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated-interferon alpha-2a in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Thirty-six hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in a controlled and prospective study. All patients were treatment naive, positive tested for anti-HCV antibodies, and positive tested for serum HCV-RNA. Twenty-two patients received 135 microg peglyated-interferon alpha-2a weekly for 48 wk (group A). The remaining patients were left untreated, eleven refused therapy, and three were not candidates for kidney transplantation and were allocated to the control group (group B). At the end of the treatment biochemical and virological response was evaluated, and 24 wk after completion of therapy sustained virological response (SVR) was assessed. Side effects were monitored. RESULTS: Of 22 hemodialysis patients, 12 were male and 10 female, with a mean age of 35.2 +/- 12.1 years. Virological end-of-treatment response was observed in 14 patients (82.4%) in group A and in one patient (7.1%) in group B (P = 0.001). Sustained virological response was observed in 11 patients (64.7%) in group A and in one patient in group B (7.1%). Biochemical response parameters normalized in 10/14 patients (71.4%) at the end of the treatment. ALT levels in group B were initially high in six patients and normalized in one of them (25%) at the end of the 48 wk. In five patients (22.7%) therapy had to be stopped at mo 4 due to complications of weakness, anemia, and bleeding. CONCLUSION: SVR could be achieved in 64.7% of patients on hemodialysis with chronic hepatitis C by a treatment with peglyated-interferon alpha-2a. Group A had a significantly better efficacy compared to the control group B, but the side effects need to be concerned.

Evaluation of false negativity of the Widal test among culture proven typhoid fever cases.

BACKGROUND: The Widal test is the most common, specific and quick diagnostic method available in the world for diagnosis of typhoid fever; however, false negativity is one of the obstructive features of the test. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associated factors with Widal test negativity in an endemic area. METHODS: Widal test negativity was retrospectively analyzed among culture-proven typhoid fever cases. The potential features including age, gender, previous antibiotic usage, duration of symptoms, leucopoenia, hematocrit value, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated for association with Widal test negativity. RESULTS: A total of 166 culture-proven typhoid fever cases (93 or 56.0% males) were included in the study. The mean age +/- SD was 23.3 +/- 10.6 years. Mean time of interval between first symptom and test performance time was 10.6 +/- 7.8 days. The Widal test (STO and/or STH) was found positive in 75 cases (45.2%). The statistical analyses revealed that none of these variables were significant for false negativity of the Widal test. Age was found to be a possible factor for a false negative Widal test (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: Of existing compatible clinical findings, age should be considered in cases of Widal test negativity.

Cervical intramedullary granuloma of Brucella: a case report and review of the literature.

The aim of this study was to present a unique case of intramedullary brucellar granuloma (IBG) and to discuss the diagnosis and management. To our knowledge, only one case of thoracic IBG has been reported previously, and our case is the first in cervical spine. A 35-year-old female patient was admitted with headache, pain and weakness in her four extremities. She had no gastrointestinal symptoms and fever. She had been diagnosed with Brucella meningitis 3 months ago and a triple therapy of doxycyclin, rifampicin and trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol (TMP/SMZ) had been started. Medical history revealed that she had ingested raw cheese and taken her medication improperly. Loss of strength was detected in her four extremities, which led us to assume the formation of a mass lesion at cervical level. Therefore, we performed a magnetic resonance imaging scan and found enhancement of an intramedullary mass lesion at cervical 1-2 level. Diagnosis of neurobrucellosis was confirmed by titer of >1/160 Brucella antibodies both in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Based on these findings, brucellar granuloma of cervical spine was diagnosed and a combination therapy of doxycyclin, TMP/SMZ and rifampicin was administered for additional 6 months. At the ninth month of treatment, the patient recovered both radiologically and clinically. Our case is unique, in terms of cervical IBG formation. The excellent response to antimicrobial therapy in our patient suggests that, a trial of medical treatment for 6 months may be effective in such cases.

Comparison of lamivudine and alpha-interferon combination with alpha-interferon alone in the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

AIM: To compare the efficacy of a combination of a-interferon (IFN-a) and lamivudine with IFN-a alone in the treatment of patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: Sixty-eight treatment-naove patients with HBeAg-positive CHB were randomized to receive either 9 MU of IFN-a2a three times a week and lamivudine 100 mg daily (Group 1), or IFN-a2a alone in the same dosage (Group 2), for 12 months. Serum ALT, HBeAg, anti-HBe and HBV DNA were tested at the end of treatment and 6 months later. Complete response was defined as normal ALT, negative HBeAg and negative HBV DNA, six months after stopping treatment. RESULTS: Of the 68 patients, 64 completed the study. In Group 1 (n=31), mean (SD) ALT levels decreased from 124 (59) IU/L to 39 (18) IU/L at 12 months; corresponding values in Group 2 (n=33) were 128 (57) and 56 (11) IU/L (p< 0.05). Absence of HBV DNA at the end of treatment was more common in Group 1 (28/31) than in Group 2 (22/33; p< 0.022). The number of patients with seroconversion to anti-HBe (4/31 [13%] vs. 4/33 [12%], respectively; p>0.05), as also those with complete response (4/31 [13%] and 4/33 [12%], respectively; p>0.05) six months after completion of treatment was similar in Group 1 and Group 2. CONCLUSION: Combination treatment with IFN-a and lamivudine was better than IFN-a monotherapy in normalization of ALT and clearance of HBV DNA; however, it did not have a better sustained response rate than IFN-a alone.