Case Report : Severe Type Hepatitis B with Cirrhotic Change Successfully Treated by Lamivudine and Achieved Marked Improvement of Hepatic Functional Reserve

Abstract

A 44 year-old man admitted for exacerbated chronic hepatitis B was administered lamivudine for severe hepatic damage, and intensively transfused with fresh frozen plasma. Viral titer decreased immediately and transaminase improved. Continuous administration of lamivudine normalized serum alanine aminotransferase, prothrombin time, and serum albmine within 8 months.
“Acute on chronic” liver damage in patients with hepatitis B is frequently fatal. Even though the fulminant changes were avoided, severe exacerbation made prognosis poor. We conclude that lamivudine treatment for severe exacerbation of hepatitis B at the initial phase can prevent fulminant change and markedly improve the hepatic functional reserve.