Experience in patients with HBeAg positive CHB and compensated liver disease: in controlled studies, 1 year of lamivudine therapy significantly suppressed HBV DNA replication [34-57% of patients were below the assay detection limits (Abbott Genostics solution hybridization assay, LLOD < 1.6pg/ ml)}, normalised ALT level (40-72% of patients), induced HBeAg seroconversion (HBeAg loss and HBeAb detection with HBV DNA loss [by conventional assay], 16-18% of patients), improved histology (38-52% of patients had a ≥ 2 point decrease in the Knodell Histologic Activity Index [HAI]) and reduced progression of fibrosis (in 3-17% of patients) and progression to cirrhosis.