Efficacy of entecavir with thymosin in 52 cases of chronic hepatitis B with high viral load

Objective To observe the effect of entecavir with thymosin on chronic hepatitis B(CHB) with high viral load. Methods A total of 112 CHB patients were randomly divided into entecavir(n=60) and combined groups(n=52). Entecavir group were treated with oral entecavir, while combined group accepted oral entecavir and subcutaneous injection of thymosin for 48 weeks. Serum levels of alanine transaminase(ALT), IL-10, HBV-DNA and HBe Ag and drug resistance were observed after 24 and 48 weeks. Results Levels of ALT and IL-10 in two groups decreased after 24 and 48 weeks compared with pretreatment(P0.01). Level of ALT and IL-10, and negative conversion rate of HBV-DNA and HBe Ag were higher in combined group than those in entecavir group(P0.01 or 0.05). Drug resistance showed no difference between two groups(1.7% vs 1.9%, P0.05).Conclusion The combined use of entecavir and thymosin is superior to single use of entecavir for CHB with high viral load.