Yu M.-L.Lee C.-M.Chuang W.-L.Lu S.-N.Dai C.-Y.Huang J.-F.Lin Z.-Y.Hu T.-I.Chen C.-H.Hung C.-.Wang J.-H.CHI-LING CHENJIA-HORNG KAOLai M.-Y.CHEN-HUA LIUTUNG-HUNG SUWu S.-S.Liao L.-Y.Kuo H.-T.Chao Y.-C.Tung S.-Y.Yang S.-S.PEI-JER CHENCHUN-JEN LIUDING-SHINN CHEN2021-03-092021-03-0920100022-1899https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77953725569&doi=10.1086%2f653209&partnerID=40&md5=e45f5d210ec0839684279a2e61d652a1https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/551146Background. With use of peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with dual chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 11.2% of patients achieved clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at 6 months after treatment; however, reactivation of HBV DNA was observed in 36.3%. We investigated the predictive potential of HBsAg quantification. Methods. HBsAg quantification was performed in 120 e antigen-negative patients dually infected with HBV and hepatitis C virus and treated with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks (HCV genotype 1; n = 74) or 24 weeks (HCV genotype 2/3; n = 46). HBsAg was quantified at baseline, week 4, week 12, end of treatment, and 24 weeks after treatment. Results. The baseline median serum HBsAg level was 120 IU/mL and decreased gradually during treatment. Low baseline HBsAg was significantly associated with HBsAg clearance (40% for HBsAg level ?20 IU/mL vs 2.2% for HBsAg level >20 IU/mL; P< .05). A decrease in HBsAg level from baseline to week 12 of 50% was associated with a reduced likelihood of HBV DNA reactivation in patients with baseline undetectable serum HBV DNA (positive predictive value, 89.5%). Conclusions. HBsAg quantification appears to be a useful indicator of posttreatment outcome in patients dually infected with HBV and hepatitis C virus. ? 2010 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.[SDGs]SDG3hepatitis B surface antigen; peginterferon alpha2a; ribavirin; virus DNA; alpha2a interferon; antivirus agent; hepatitis B surface antigen; macrogol derivative; peginterferon alfa-2a; peginterferon alpha2a; ribavirin; virus DNA; article; chronic disease; combination chemotherapy; female; hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; human; major clinical study; male; priority journal; serodiagnosis; virus reactivation; adult; blood; drug administration; genetics; genotype; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; middle aged; virology; virus activation; Adult; Antiviral Agents; DNA, Viral; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Genotype; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Interferon Alfa-2a; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene Glycols; Ribavirin; Virus Activationjournal article10.1086/653209204822522-s2.0-77953725569