ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in serum soluble complement receptor type 1 (sCR1) at 3 and 6 months after antiviral therapy with telbivudine in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) or liver cirrhosis and the influence of telbivudine on serum sCR1 level. MethodsA total of 57 patients with HBeAg-positive CHB or liver cirrhosis were enrolled and given the antiviral therapy with telbivudine. Venous blood was collected before treatment and at 3 and 6 months after treatment, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum sCR1 level. The paired t-test was used for comparison within one group. ResultsAt 3 and 6 months after the antiviral treatment with telbivudine, the serum sCR1 level changed significantly compared with corresponding baseline values (t=4.864 and 6.238, both P＜0.05). The patients with CHB or liver cirrhosis showed significant changes in the serum sCR1 level at 3 and 6 months after treatment compared with corresponding baseline values (t=3425,5468,4047,7378 all P＜0.05). The patients with CHB had a lower serum sCR1 level at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after treatment than those with liver cirrhosis, but the serum sCR1 level at each time point showed no significant differences between the two groups (all P＞005). ConclusionIn patients with HBeAg-positive CHB or liver cirrhosis, serum sCR1 level is reduced significantly after antiviral therapy with telbivudine.