Patients who have benefitted from the therapy will continue taking the medication for up to 5 years. A third liver biopsy will be done during the last year of treatment. The effectiveness of lamivudine will be determined by whether levels of hepatitis B virus decrease in the blood, whether liver enzymes improve, and whether inflammation and scarring decreases in the liver biopsies. Age 18 years or above, male or female. Known presence of HBsAg in serum for at least 6 months.
Liver biopsy histology showing chronic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis.
Previous therapy with alpha interferon without a lasting effect or intolerance to alpha interferon, due to side effects. Written informed consent. For patients with polyarteritis, radiological proof of arteritis and involvement of at least on organ system outside of the liver. Must not be pregnant or if capable of bearing or fathering children must practice adequate contraception. Must not have significant systemic illnesses other than liver diseases, including congestive heart failure, renal failure, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus with poor control.