HEPATITIS-B VIRUS AND THE INFLAMMATORY IMMUNE RESPONSE (II) - A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B AND A SUGGESTION FOR THE TREATMENT OF OTHER PERSISTENT VIRAL DISEASES/

With the immunologic rationale exposed in the first part of this paper , the authors analyze a new experimental treatment which includes the combination of an antiviral (ribavirin) and an immunomodulator (AM3) i n a model of hepatotoxic viral-infection in mice. Rationale for this a ssociated treatment is based on the ability of AM3 to restore the natu ral immunity through the induction of IL-12 and IFN-gamma. Furthermore , the treatment with AM3 decreases factor C3 of the complement system which appears to be implied in IL-12 downregulation. Experimental and clinical results showed herein suggest a new approach to the treatment of viral hepatitis which combines the use of antivirals in combinatio n with immunomodulators able to restore the ''immunologic chaos'' indu ced by some viruses.