Abstract

LOZANO-DE CAMACHO, Iria et al. Therapeutic plasmapheresis in patients with chronic Hepatitis B from Maracaibo: a preliminary findings. Gen [online]. 2026, vol.80, n.1, pp.5-9.  Epub Feb 01, 2026. ISSN 0016-3503.  https://doi.org/10.61155/gen.v80i1.798.

Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) rarely achieves functional cure (HBsAg loss) with standard antiviral treatments, due to the persistence of cccDNA and the high circulating antigenic burden. Therapeutic Plasmapheresis (TP) was evaluated as an adjuvant therapy to reduce the antigenic burden and improve clinical, serological, biochemical, and virological responses in CHB patients in Maracaibo. A quasi-experimental and longitudinal study was conducted of 65 adult CHB patients; 42 were intervened (Plasmapheresis Group) and 23 formed the control group (comparison cohort). Intervened patients were divided into two groups: TP + Entecavir (n=12) and TP alone (n=30). An average of 3 TP sessions were administered. Statistical analysis included the Chi-square test to compare responses and Logistic Regression to identify predictors. 69.05% of intervened patients had symptoms. The combined group (TP + Entecavir) had a 75.0% positive response rate, significantly higher than the 20.0% of the TP alone group (p<0.001). Subjective clinical improvement was observed in 33.3% (p<0.01) and seroconversion in 21.4% of the intervened patients. The age of 50-59 years was a significant predictor of improvement and seroconversion (p<0.01). A virological response of 100% was achieved in the combined group, and 66.7% of patients showed complete biochemical improvement. Therapeutic plasmapheresis combined with Entecavir, is an effective adjuvant strategy for CHB, yielding clinical, biochemical benefits and promoting significant serological and virological responses.

Keywords : Therapeutic Plasmapheresis; Chronic Hepatitis B; HBsAg Seroconversion; Entecavir; Antigenic Burden.

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