**Core Concept**
Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common liver disease worldwide, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment aims to suppress viral replication, prevent liver damage, and reduce the risk of complications.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is **C. Lamivudine**. Lamivudine is a nucleoside analog that inhibits HBV DNA polymerase, thus reducing viral replication. It is a first-line treatment for chronic HBV infection, especially in patients with mild to moderate liver disease. Lamivudine has been shown to improve liver histology, reduce liver enzymes, and decrease the risk of liver cancer.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Interferon-alpha is an immunomodulatory therapy that can induce a sustained virological response in some patients with chronic HBV infection, but it is not a first-line treatment due to its side effects and lower efficacy compared to nucleos(t)ide analogs.
**Option B:** Adefovir dipivoxil is a nucleotide analog that inhibits HBV DNA polymerase, but it is generally used as a second-line treatment due to its lower potency and higher risk of resistance compared to lamivudine.
**Option D:** Ganciclovir is an antiviral drug primarily used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, and it is not indicated for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Lamivudine and other nucleos(t)ide analogs can induce resistance in HBV, especially if treatment is not lifelong. Regular monitoring of viral load and liver enzymes is essential to prevent resistance and optimize treatment outcomes.
**Correct Answer: C. Lamivudine**
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