Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to compare the antiviral response to pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFNα-2a) or PEG-IFNα-2b in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods 74 patients with CHB were enrolled in our hospital between July 2016 and May 2018, and were randomly divided into group A (n=37) and group B (n=37). The patients in group A were treated with PEG-IFNα-2a, and those in group B were treated with PEG-IFNα-2b. The antiviral therapy lasted for 48 w, and all patients were followed-up for 24 weeks. Results At the end of 12 w, 24 w and 48 w treatment and 24 w followed-up, serum alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) normalization rates in goup A were 29.7%, 35.1%, 83.8% and 75.7%, all not significantly different as compared to 27.0%, 29.7%, 86.5% and 78.4%, respectively, (P>0.05) in group B; serum HBV DNA loss were 59.5%, 73.0%, 78.4% and 75.7%, all not significantly different as compared to 45.9%, 51.4%, 81.1% and 75.7%, respectively, (P>0.05) in group B; serum HBeAg negative rates were 33.3%, 36.7%, 36.7% and 40.5%, all not significantly different as compared to 29.2%, 29.2%, 33.3% and 35.1%, respectively, (P>0.05) in group B; during the treatment, the incidences of flu-like symptoms and abnormal thyroid functions in the two groups were the same, and the incidences of thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia in group A were 40.0% and 76.6%, both notsignificantly different as compared to 37.8% and 75.7% in group B (P>0.05).Conclusion At present, both PEG-IFNα-2a and PEG-IFNα-2b could be selected for the treatment of patients with CHB, and the surveillance of untoward effects is pivotally important for the regimen going and the achievement of antiviral therapy.

Key words: Hepatitis B, Pegylated interferon-α2a, Pegylated interferon-α2b, Therapy