1991 Volume 88 Issue 11 Pages 2771-2777
We have evaluated the problem of autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), smooth muscle antibody (SMA) and antibodies to thyroid microsomal (TMA) and to thyroglobulin (TGA) related to interferon therapy in 27 patients with chronic hepatitis B. Anti-interferon antibody was also studied by Western blot method. Eight patients had ANA and 2 had SMA during interferon therapy. However, 6 of the 8 patients were ANA positive and one of the 2 was SMA positive prior to interferon treatment. No patients developed TMA, TGA or anti-interferon antibody. Eight (29.6%) of the 27 patients had clearance of both DNA polymerase and HBeAg and persistent normalization in alanine aminotransferase levels with interferon therapy. Seven of the 8 responders developed none of the autoantibodies related to interferon therapy. These results suggest that the presence of ANA or SMA during treatment may affect the therapeutic response to interferon.