Efficacy of Entecavir for patients of chronic severe-degree hepatitis B with HBeAg-posi-tive

Objective To evaluate the effects of Entecavir for patients of chronic severe-degree hepatitis B with HBeAg-positive.Methods 58 patients with chronic severe-degree hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups (treatment group and control group ).29 patients in the treatment group were treated with Entecavir 0.5mg/d for 48 weeks and protect-liver drug for the first 4 weeks.29 patients in control group were treated with protect-liver drug for 48 weeks.Results After therapy for 48 weeks, ALT normalization-rate, the negative-rate of serum HBV DNA and HBeAg, the transition-rate of serum HBeAg/ Anti-Hbe in the treated group were all significantly higher than that of the control group( 93.1%vs593%, 93.1%vs11.1%, 44.8%vs11.1%, 41.4%vs11.1%, respectively,χ2-value were 8.98, 37.79, 7.79,6.53. P< 0.005, <0.001, <0.01, <0.05, respectively ).The improve-rate of hepatic histological activity and hepatic fibrosis in needle liver biopsy specimens in the treatment group were all significantly higher than that in the control group ( 93.1 %vs44.4%, 72.4%vs33.3%, respectively, x2-value were 15.66, 8.58, P <0.001, <0.005, respectively ).Conclusion The clinical efficacy of entecavir were better than protect-liver drug in patients of chronic severe-degree hepatitis B with HBeAg-positive.Entecavir can prevent severe hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis in these patients. Key words: Entecavir;  HBeAg-positive ;  Chronic hepatitis B;  Severe-degree