Objective To explore the effect of peginterferon α-2a combined with entecavir on hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA), immune function and levels of inflammatory factors in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods A total of 220 patients with chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into study group and control group, with 110 cases in each group. The control group was orally given entecavir tablets, while the study group was given peginterferon α-2a by subcutaneous injection on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated continuously for 6 months. The levels of HBV-DNA, immune function indexes (CD4⁺, CD19⁺, CD8⁺) and inflammatory factors interferon-γ (IFN-γ), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) were compared between two groups.

Results After treatment, the level of HBV-DNA decreased significantly in both groups, and the level of HBV-DNA in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the level of CD4⁺ increased significantly while the levels of CD19⁺ and CD8⁺ decreased significantly in both groups, and the level of CD4⁺ in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while the levels of CD19⁺ and CD8⁺ were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the levels of IFN-γ, M-CSF, CXCR4 and SDF-1 decreased significantly in both groups, and the levels of IFN-γ, M-CSF, CXCR4 and SDF-1 in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Difference values of IFN-γ, M-CSF, CXCR4 and SDF-1 levels before and after treatment in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion Peginterferon α-2a combined with entecavir is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B, which can reduce the HBV-DNA level, enhance the immunity of patients, and inhibit the levels of inflammatory factors.