LEVAMISOLE AND INTERFERON IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B

To evaluate the possible usefulness of simultaneous administration of levamisole and interferon, we randomly allocated 38 children with chro nic hepatitis B to receive either 10 MU/m2 interferon-alpha-2a, three times a week for 6 mo (group 1, n = 20) or 90 mg/m2 of levamisole for 45 days, together with 10 MU/M2 of interferon-alpha-2a, three times a week for 6 mo (group 2, n = 18). At the end of the follow-up period (1 5 mo), no significant differences were observed between the groups wit h respect to loss of hepatitis B virus DNA and HBeAg from serum and no rmalization of serum ALT levels. During therapy, a significant increas e in the serum levels of ALT and soluble interleukin-2 receptor was ob served in both groups but was higher in patients from group 2. The com bination of levamisole with interferon was associated with severe side effects. In summary, the combination of levamisole with interferon in children with chronic hepatitis B does not improve the results obtain ed with interferon alone.