Prediction of response to entecavir therapy in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B based on on-treatment HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA levels

Summary. Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) assays are emerging as effective tools of on‐treatment predictors of response to antiviral agents, in addition to monitoring serum HBV DNA levels. However, the dynamic relationship between quantitative HBsAg, as well as HBeAg and HBV DNA, and the predictability of subsequent clinical outcomes during entecavir (ETV) therapy remain unclear. Eighty‐two patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) received ETV therapy for ≥3 years. Virologic response (VR) after 3 years of ETV therapy was achieved in 73 (89.0%) patients. Among baseline and on‐treatment factors, on‐treatment HBV DNA levels performed better with respect to the prediction of response than HBsAg and HBeAg levels. Especially, the performance of absolute values of HBV DNA with respect to response was superior to HBV DNA decline from the baseline. The best predictive value was an absolute HBV DNA level of 2.3 log₁₀ IU/mL at month 6 (areas under the curve [AUROC], 0.977; 95% CI, 0.940–1.000; P < 0.001). HBeAg seroconversion after 3 years of therapy was achieved in 26 (31.7%) patients. On‐treatment HBeAg levels performed better with respect to the prediction of seroconversion than HBsAg and HBV DNA levels. The best cut‐off value for the HBeAg level at month 12 for the prediction of seroconversion was 0.62 log₁₀ PEIU/mL. Although the HBsAg level at baseline is often used to predict the antiviral potency of entecavir, on‐treatment HBV DNA and HBeAg levels are more helpful for prediction of subsequent clinical outcomes in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients with entecavir treatment.     

Comparison between quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen,hepatitis B e‐antigen and hepatitis B virus DNA levels for predicting virological response to pegylated interferon‐α‐2b therapy in hepatitis B e‐antigen‐positive chronic hepatitis B

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical applicability of quantitative serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA for predicting virological response (VR) to pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) therapy. Methods: Thirty HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients who received PEG‐IFN‐α‐2b for 48 weeks were enrolled. Quantitative HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were measured before, during and after the therapy. Paired liver biopsies were performed before and after treatment for covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA and intrahepatic HBV DNA analysis. Results: VR at 48 weeks post‐treatment, defined as HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA less than 10 000 copies/mL was achieved in 10 (33.3%) patients. Responders had significantly lower baseline HBsAg, HBeAg, cccDNA and intrahepatic HBV DNA levels than non‐responders. Baseline and reduced levels of log₁₀ HBsAg and log₁₀ HBeAg correlated well with those of log₁₀ cccDNA and log₁₀ total intrahepatic HBV DNA. Responders showed consistent decrease in serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA levels during therapy. HBeAg level of 2.0 log₁₀ sample to cut‐off ratio at week 24 on therapy provided the best prediction of sustained virological response, with sensitivity and negative predictive values of 85% and 92%, respectively. One patient (3.3%) who cleared HBsAg at follow up exhibited a more rapid decline in serum HBsAg during therapy than those who developed VR without HBsAg clearance. Conclusion: Quantitative measurement of serum HBeAg during therapy may be superior to serum HBsAg and HBV DNA as a prediction of HBeAg seroconversion. Kinetics of HBsAg levels on therapy may help predict HBsAg clearance after treatment.     

Mutations of pre-core and basal core promoter before and after hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion

AIM: To investigate the role of pre-core and basal core promoter(BCP) mutations before and after hepatitis Be antigen(HBe Ag) seroconversion.METHODS: The proportion of pre-core(G1896A) and basal core promoter(A1762T and G1764A) mutant viruses and serum levels of hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), and HB core-related antigen were analyzed in chronic hepatitis B patients before and after HBe Ag seroconversion(n = 25), in those who were persistently HBe Ag positive(n = 18), and in those who were persistently anti-HBe positive(n = 43). All patients were infected with HBV genotype C and were followed for a median of 9 years.RESULTS: Although the pre-core mutant became predominant(24% to 65%, P = 0.022) in the HBe Ag seroconversion group during follow-up, the proportion of the basal core promoter mutation did not change. Median HBV viral markers were significantly higher in patients without the mutations in an HBe Ag positive status(HBV DNA: P = 0.003; HBs Ag: P < 0.001; HB core-related antigen: P = 0.001). In contrast, HBV DNA(P = 0.012) and HBs Ag(P = 0.041) levels were significantly higher in patients with the pre-core mutation in an anti-HBe positive status.CONCLUSION: There is an opposite association of the pre-core mutation with viral load before and after HBe Ag seroconversion in patients with HBV infection.     

定量检测慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织乙型肝炎病毒DNA的临床价值

目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝内乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)DNA载量与血清HBV DNA、乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBeAg)水平的相关性及其在抗病毒治疗中的意义.方法41例HBeAg阳性CHB患者,在干扰素α和拉米夫定联合治疗前进行肝穿刺,取肝组织分别进行HBV DNA检测及组织学检查,据肝组织HBVDNA载量小于等于或大于104fg/cm3将其分为两组,治疗前及治疗期间监测其肝功能、血清HBeAg及HBV DNA情况.结果(1)肝组织HBV DNA载量高于血清HBV DNA载量(对数值4.081±1.127与3.163±1.010,t=2.218,P＜0.05),二者高度相关(r=0.840,t=4.322,P＜0.001);肝组织HBV DNA载量与血清HBeAg亦呈正相关(r=0.459,t=3.056,P＜0.005).(2)肝组织HBV DNA载量与肝组织炎症活动度呈反向关系(x2=3.874,P＜0.05).(3)治疗期间两组患者血清HBV DNA水平均明显下降,治疗前肝组织HBV DNA水平低者效果较好;治疗1年时HBeAg、抗-HBe血清转化率以肝组织HBV DNA水平低者为高(HBeAg转阴率68.4%与36.4%,x2=4.194,P＜0.05;抗-HBe阳转率73.7%与40.9%,x2=4.447,P＜0.05).结论肝组织HBV DNA水平较血清HBV DNA、HBeAg水平更能准确反映肝组织HBV DNA复制情况,且能间接反映机体的免疫状态,可作为抗病毒治疗适应证选择及疗效预测因子.     

Correlation of quantitative assay of hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA levels in asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers

OBJECTIVE: This study was to elucidate the correlation between quantity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in asymptomatic carriers. METHODS: Based on the presence of the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA levels, 67 asymptomatic carriers were divided into four groups. HBV DNA was determined by hybridization (sensitivity 141 500 copies/ml) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR, sensitivity < 10 copies/ml). Cases of groups I (n = 18), II (n = 17) and III (n = 16) were negative for HBeAg and had HBV DNA levels of < 10 (PCR undetectable), 10 to 10 (PCR detectable) and > 10 copies/ml (hybridization detectable), respectively. Cases of group IV (n = 16) were positive for HBeAg and high HBV DNA levels (> 2 x 10 copies/ml). HBsAg was determined quantitatively by the ARCHITECT HBsAg assay. RESULTS: Our data showed HBsAg levels were correlated with HBV DNA (r = 0.709; P < 0.001) on a log scale. The mean log HBsAg (IU/ml) of groups I, II, III and IV were 2.68 +/- 0.8, 2.93 +/- 1.03, 3.22 +/- 0.45, 4.83 +/- 0.19, respectively. That of group IV was significantly higher than the mean log HBsAg of any other group (P < 0.001). The best cut-off for HBsAg in differentiating group IV from other groups was 15 000 IU/ml with both sensitivity and specificity of 100%. That of group I was significantly lower than those of group III (P = 0.035) and IV (P < 0.001). The best cut-off in differentiating group I from the other groups was 1600 IU/ml with a sensitivity of 69.4% and a specificity of 66.7%. CONCLUSION: Quantitative measurement of HBsAg titres may be an easy and economical reference for HBV replication in HBV carriers.     

Combining the HBsAg decline and HBV DNA levels predicts clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion

Purpose

The aim was to investigate whether the quantitation of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels can predict HBV reactivation and advanced liver disease after spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion.

Methods

A total of 121 patients who experienced spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion were included in this longitudinal study. Serial HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were measured before and after HBeAg seroconversion.

Results

Of the 121 patients, 32 experienced HBV reactivation and six achieved an HBsAg loss after HBeAg seroconversion during the follow-up period. The decline in the HBsAg level was considerably more pronounced in patients without HBV reactivation when compared to those with HBV reactivation (p = 0.016). Multivariate analysis revealed that the age of >40 years at HBeAg seroconversion, male sex, and HBsAg decline, and HBV DNA levels at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion were independent factors for the development of HBeAg-negative hepatitis. All the six patients who achieved HBsAg loss had HBsAg level of <1,000 IU/mL at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion (p < 0.001). The risk of HBeAg-negative hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC was substantially increased in patients who had a combination of both, i.e., no decline in the HBsAg level and HBV DNA level of >10⁴ copies/mL at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion.

Conclusions

Combining HBsAg reduction and HBV DNA levels at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion was a useful marker to predict clinical outcomes in spontaneous HBeAg seroconverters. HBsAg level of <1,000 IU/mL at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion could predict the HBsAg loss after HBeAg seroconversion.     

Dynamic analysis of hepatitis B virus DNA and its antigens in 2.2.15 cells

The 2.2.15 cells-derived from HepG2 cells transfected with a plasmid containing hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA secrete surface antigen (HBsAg) particles, nucleocapsids and virions (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1987; 84: 1005-1009). The latter elicit acute hepatitis in chimpanzees (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1987; 84: 4641-4644). We studied the presence of intracellular and extracellular HBV covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA in this culture system by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), kinetically analysed HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) released in the culture media by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitated by real-time PCR but HBV DNA from intracellular and extracellular HBV-DNA. HBV cccDNA was found both intracellularly and extracellularly. A significant correlation was seen between the extracellular HBV DNA levels and virus antigens (r = 0.833; P = 0.01 and r = 0.939; P < 0.01 for HBsAg and HBeAg, respectively), whereas there was no statistical correlation between intracellular HBV DNA levels and virus antigen levels (r = 0.024; P = 0.955 and r = 0.177; P = 0.625 for HBsAg and HBeAg, respectively). These data would be valuable in studies of the HBV life cycle and of potential anti-viral agents.     

Relevance of hepatitis B surface antigen levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B during 5 year of tenofovir treatment

The role of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in patients receiving highly potent oral antiviral therapy is controversial, and here, we determined the HBsAg response in 121 chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir 300 mg daily. During tenofovir treatment, HBsAg decline of ≥1.0 log from baseline was seen in 16.1%, 16.3%, 18.4%, 34.6%, 36.4% and 11.8%, 15.2%, 14.8%, 28.6%, 20% at years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients, respectively. Early decline in HBsAg levels at week 4 was predictive of subsequent significant HBsAg level decline. HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 29.9% of HBeAg‐positive patients. On multinomial logistic regression, HBsAg level decline from baseline at week 4 and week 12 or any time subsequently did not correlate with HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA level decline from baseline at week 4 and week 12 (OR = 3.704; 95% CI = 1.511–9.076; P = 0.006 and OR = 1.732; 95% CI = 1.032–2.867; P = 0.037, respectively) was significantly predictive of seroconversion. A small proportion of chronic HBV‐infected patients treated with tenofovir exhibit a significant (≥1.0 log) decline in HBsAg levels. Early decline in HBsAg levels at week 4 was predictive of subsequent and significant HBsAg level decline. The HBsAg decline did not correlate with HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg‐positive patients. Reduction in HBV DNA levels at week 4 and 12 correlated with seroconversion.     

聚乙二醇化干扰素治疗乙型肝炎病毒e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原消失的相关因素

目的 探讨聚乙二醇化干扰素（PEG-IFN α-2a）治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者过程中预测HBsAg消失的相关因素。方法 对72例HBeAg阳性CHB患者,应用PEG-IFN α-2a 180 μg,每周1次,共48周。每3个月检测ALT、AST及HBV DNA、HBeAg和H BsAg定量,对48周治疗结束时HBsAg消失与基线、12周、24周的HBV DNA、HBeAg和HBsAg定量的相关关系进行分析。计数资料行Fisher精确检验及受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析。结果65例HBeAg阳性CHB患者完成本研究,其中7例HBsAg消失。48周时HBsAg的消失与治疗12周时H BeAg水平有关（Fisher确切概率法,P=0.023）,与治疗24周时HBeAg水平高度相关 （Fisher确切概率法,P=0.004）,与12周或24周时HBsAg＜250 IU/mL相关(Fisher确切概率法,P=0.001,P=0.002)。与12周时HBV DNA阴转相关（Fisher确切概率法,P=0.039）,而与24周时HBV DNA是否阴转无关（Fisher确切概率法,P= 0.130）。经ROC曲线分析显示,12周、24周HBsAg及24周HBeAg曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.8584(P=0.0021)、0.9606(P=0.001)及0.8350(P=0.040)。结论 联合应用24周HBeAg和HBsAg定量水平可能是预测48周疗程结束时是否发生HBsAg消失的有效指标。     

HBeAg阴性和阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBV DNA水平与肝组织炎症的关系

目的:探讨HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)HBVDNA水平和肝组织炎症损害的关系.方法:采用荧光定量聚合酶链反应分别对331例CHB(101例HBeAg阴性和230例HBeAg阳性)患者进行血清HBVDNA定量检测和肝组织活检病理炎症分级,对比分析结果.结果:331例CHB患者血清HBVDNA水平与肝组织炎症活动度及肝纤维化程度之间无明显相关性;101例HBeAg阴性CHB患者中31例(31%)血清HBVDNA>108copies/L,随着G1-G4肝组织炎症损害级别的增高其所占例数也相应增高.HBVDNA水平与肝组织炎症病理分级的相关性有显著意义(r=0.271,P<0.005);在230例HBeAg阳性的患者中,血清HBVDNA水平与肝组织炎症呈明显的负相关(r=-0.659,P<0.001).结论:血清HBVDNA水平可作为判断HBeAg阴性CHB患者肝组织炎症损害程度的指标,在HBeAg阳性的患者中,血清HBVDNA水平与肝组织炎症呈负相关.     

Reverse seroconversion of hepatitis B virus infectious status after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from a carrier donor.

A 35-year-old man with acute promyelocytic leukemia received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) in second complete remission. The donor was his 18-year-old brother, a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier with detectable serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA). Before BMT, the recipient was immune to HBV, with serum antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe) and normal liver function. Examination of the recipient serum drawn 2 months after BMT revealed reverse seroconversion from anti-HBs/anti-HBe to HBsAg/HBeAg, which remained positive thereafter. Upon reducing cyclosporin 6 months after BMT, acute hepatitis occurred with HBV DNA in serum as evidence of active HBV replication; the patient then developed chronic hepatitis which progressed to cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation within 8 months. Transfusion of HBV DNA/HBeAg-positive bone marrow is thus harmful even when the recipient has anti-HBs prior to BMT.     

慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者前S1抗原和抗体检测的临床意义

目的 探讨前S1抗原(PreS1Ag)与前S1抗体（抗-PreS1）在慢性HBV感染者中的检出情况及其临床意义。方法 收集慢性HBV感染者428例,检测HBV血清学标志物、HBV DNA及PreS1Ag、抗-PreS1,分析PreS1Ag、抗-PreS1在慢性HBV感染不同转归人群[即e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)组、e抗原阴性CHB组、非活动性HBsAg携带组、HBsAg血清学转换组]的检出情况及临床意义;同时分析PreS1Ag、抗-PreS1与HBV标志物、HBV DNA的关系。用SPSS13.0软件进行统计学处理。计数资料采用四格表或配对x2检验,计量资料采用独立样本t检验或秩和检验进行数据分析。结果 PreS1Ag阳性率e抗原阳性CHB组为95.7％(67/70)、e抗原阴性CHB组为82.8％ (24/29)、非活动性HBsAg携带组为13.2％(7/53)、HBsAg转换组为2.2％ (1/46),四组人群PreS1Ag阳性率依次下降,x2=141.7,P＜0.05,总体比较差异有统计学意义,可见PreS1Ag阳性率随病毒复制活跃程度下降而降低。抗-PreS1在四组间检出率差异无统计学意义。将HBsAg阳性的前三组（即e抗原阳性CHB组、e抗原阴性CHB组、非活动性HBsAg携带组）合并为一组,再与HBsAg血清学转换组比较,抗-PreS1阳性率分别为0.9％(14/152)和23.9％0 (14/46),x2 =6.919,P＜0.05,差异有统计学意义。PreSl Ag的吸光度值的平均秩次在高复制组为179.30,低复制组为133.80,高复制组明显高于低复制组,Z=-3.86,P＜0.05,差异有统计学意义;虽两组抗-PreS1的吸光度值平均秩次差异无统计学意义,但低复制组(23.86)较高复制组(21.08)有升高趋势。通过配对计数X2检验分析抗-HBs与抗-PreS1的吻合性,x2=0.262,P＞0.05,两者检出率差异无统计学意义。血清PreS1Ag、HBeAg、肝组织内HBcAg与HBV DNA有关联性,x2值分别为33.840、24.159、4.854,P值均＜0.05。血清PreS1Ag与HBV DNA的关联程度(r=0.628)高于HBeAg(r=0.563)。 结论PreS1Ag较HBeAg更敏感的反映了HBV复制的情况,抗-PreS1可能参与了HBV的清除,预示着慢性乙型肝炎的恢复。     

Assessment of chronic hepatitis B: the importance of hepatitis B virus DNA testing

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has an estimated prevalence of 90 000 to 160 000 in Australia. Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are important complications of CHB and appropriate evaluation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive individuals is vital to identify treatment candidates. Methods: A review of the database of a tertiary hospital was performed and 348 HBsAg‐positive individuals with baseline demographic, virological, serological and biochemical variables were identified and evaluated cross‐sectionally. A small subgroup of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at baseline were identified and followed longitudinally. Results: 175/348 (50%) of patients were in the HBeAg‐negative, chronic hepatitis phase of disease, 22% in the HBeAg‐positive immune clearance and 6% in the immune tolerant phases. HBeAg‐negative patients were older and more likely to be male than HBeAg‐positive patients. The correlation between hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and ALT levels was examined. ALT and HBV DNA levels showed no correlation in HBeAg‐positive CHB and only a weak correlation in HBeAg‐negative patients. Furthermore, 35% of HBeAg‐negative patients with detectable HBV DNA had a normal ALT. Conversely 38% of HBeAg‐negative patients with no detectable HBV DNA had an elevated ALT. A persistently normal ALT over 24 months was seen in five of nine HBeAg‐negative patients with normal initial ALT and detectable HBV DNA. Conclusion: Appropriate evaluation of HBeAg‐negative CHB must include HBV DNA because the ALT is not a reliable guide to underlying viral replication.     

HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者肝组织病理改变的相关因素分析

目的 分析HBeAg阴性慢性HBV感染者肝组织病理改变的相关因素.方法 对288例不同年龄、性别、ALT水平、肝组织HBsAg和HBcAg免疫组织化学结果的HBeAg阴性HBV感染者的HBV DNA载量、肝组织病理变化进行相关分析,采用Bivariate Pearson法.结果 男性组肝组织炎症分级和纤维化分期分别为1.721.23和1.71±1.24,女性组分别为1.25±1.39和1.21±1.40,两组差异有统计学意义(t=2.398,t=2.551;均P＜0.05)}男性HBV DNA载量高于女性,但差异无统计学意义.40岁以上HBeAg阴性HBV感染者HBV DNA载量、肝组织炎症分级和纤维化分期显著高于40岁以下者(t=2.060,t=2.536,t=2.808;均P＜0.05).ALT正常的HBeAg阴性乙型肝炎患者中,75例(52.03%)血清HBVDNA≤1×103拷贝/mL,肝组织炎症活动度≥G2的56例,占38.89%,血清ALT水平与肝组织炎症活动度相关(r=0.244,P=0.004).ALT异常的慢性HBV感染者中,42例(31.57%)血清HBV DNA≤1×103拷贝/mL,肝组织炎症活动度≥G2的89例,占66.92%.血清ALT水平与肝组织炎症程度无相关(r=0.007,P=0.939).肝组织免疫组织化学HBsAg及HBcAg双阳性组肝组织炎症/纤维化、HBV DNA滴度显著高于HBsAg、HBcAg双阴性组和HBsAg阳性、HBcAg阴性组,差异有统计学意义.血清HBV DNA与肝组织炎症程度相关(r=0.349,P＜0.05).结论 性别、年龄、血清HBV DNA水平及HBsAg、HBcAg免疫组织化学结果可作为判断HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织炎症损伤程度的相关指标,男性、年龄越大、血清HBV DNA水平越高、肝组织免疫组织化学HBsAg及HBcAg双阳性,肝组织炎性反应损伤越严重.HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者即使ALT正常、血清HBV DNA≤1×100拷贝/mL,仍约1/3患者的肝组织存在明显的炎性反应损伤,需定期追踪,最好行肝组织活检,以早期发现适宜治疗者而避免延误病情.     

Significance of IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in a Greek population with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) may indicate an active immune response to persistent infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). We studied 186 Greek HBsAg carriers for IgM anti-HBc and attempted to correlate it with other HBV and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) markers. Overall, IgM anti-HBc was detected more frequently than HBV DNA in this population (50% vs 34, p less than 0.001); this was also true for the 149 of the 186 HBsAg carriers with antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe) (48% vs 22%, p less than 0.001). The opposite was found in the carriers positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg): HBV DNA was observed in 93% and IgM anti-HBc in 64% of the cases (p less than 0.05). The detection of these markers was independent of sex. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly more elevated in patients with positive tests for IgM anti-HBc and HBV DNA than in patients positive only for HBV DNA (p less than 0.001) irrespective of their HBeAg or anti-HBe status. Moreover, the detection of elevated ALT was independent of the intensity of the HBV DNA hybridization signal. Antibodies to hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg) were only found in 4 (2.4%) of 167 patients tested.     

Relationship between hepatitis B virus DNA levels and liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis B

AIM： To study the relationship between hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA levels and liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB） and to determine the prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis B e antigen （HBeAg） negative patients.
METHODS： A total of 213 patients with CHB were studied, and serum HBV DNA levels were measured by the COBAS Amplicor HBV Monitor test. All patients were divided into two groups according to the HBeAg status.The correlation between serum HBV DNA levels and liver damage （liver histology and biochemistry） was explored.
RESULTS： Of the 213 patients with serum HBV DNA levels higher than 10^5 copies/mL, 178 （83.6%） were HBeAg positive, 35 （16.4%） were HBeAg negative. The serum HBV DNA levels were not correlated to the age,history of CHB, histological grade and stage of liver disease in either HBeAg negative or HBeAg positive patients. There was no correlation between serum levels of HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferanse （ALT）,aspartate aminotrans-ferase （AST） in HBeAg positive patients. In HBeAg negative patients, there was no correlation between serum levels of HBV DNA and AST,while serum DNA levels correlated with ALT （r = 0.351, P = 0.042）. The grade （G） of liver disease correlated with ALT and AST （P 〈 0.05, r = 0.205, 0.327 respectively）in HBeAg positive patients. In HBeAg negative patients,correlations were shown between ALT, AST and the G （P 〈 0.01, and r = 0.862, 0.802 respectively）. HBeAg negative patients were older （35 ± 9 years vs 30 ±9 years, P 〈 0.05 ） and had a longer history of HBV infection （8 ± 4 years vs 6 ± 4 years, P 〈 0.05） and a lower HBV DNA level than HBeAg positive patients （8.4± 1.7 Log HBV DNA vs 9.8 ± 1.3 Log HBV DNA, P 〈0.001）. There were no significant differences in sex ratio,ALT and AST levels and liver histology between the two groups.
CONCLUSION： Serum HBV DNA level is not correlated to histological grade or stage of liver disease in CHB patients with HBV DNA mor     

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with fibrosis and necroinflammation: A multicentre perspective in China

The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied, but the factors affecting them remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting HBsAg titres, using data from multicentre, large‐sized clinical trials in China. The baseline data of 1795 patients in 3 multicentre trials were studied, and the patients were classified into 3 groups: hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)‐positive chronic HBV infection (n = 588), HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B (n = 596), and HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (n = 611). HBsAg titres in the different phases were compared, and multiple linear progression analyses were performed to investigate the implicated factors. HBsAg titres varied significantly in different phases (P = .000), with the highest (4.60 log10 IU/mL [10%‐90% confidence interval: 3.52 log10 IU/mL‐4.99 log10 IU/mL]) in patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV infection. In all phases, age and HBV DNA were correlated with serum HBsAg level. In HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients, a negative correlation between HBsAg titres and fibrosis stage was observed. Alanine amonitransferase or necroinflammatory activity was also correlated with HBsAg titres in HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients. In conclusion, decreased HBsAg titres may be associated with advancing fibrosis in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients or increased necroinflammation in those with HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B. Our findings may help clinicians better understand the kinetics of HBsAg and provide useful insights into the management of this disease.     

替比夫定治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效及相关预测因子的Logistic回归分析

目的观察替比夫定（LdT）治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者3年的疗效,应用Logistic回归探讨HBeAg血清学转换的预测因子。方法收集58例采用LdT治疗的HBeAg阳性CHB患者,分析其性别、年龄、基线ALT水平、基线HBV DNA载量、基线HBeAg和HBsAg滴度与治疗3年时ALT复常率、HBV DNA阴转率、HBeAg阴转率和HBeAg血清转换率的相关性;采用Logistic回归分析HBeAg血清转换的相关因素。结果治疗3年时ALT复常率为84.48%,HBV DNA阴转率为70.69%,HBeAg阴转率为50.00%,HBeAg血清转换率为43.10%。与ALT≤2倍正常值上限（2×ULN）相比,基线ALT〉5×ULN的患者HBeAg转换率显著增高（P〈0.05）;与HBeAg≤100（S/CO）组相比,基线HBeAg〉200 S/CO的患者HBeAg的阴转率和血清转换率均显著下降（P〈0.05）;与HBV DNA≤6 log拷贝/ml组相比,HBV DNA〉7 log拷贝/ml的患者HBV DNA转阴率、HBeAg转阴率和HBeAg转换率下降显著（P〈0.05）;患者性别、年龄及基线HBsAg滴度对以上疗效指标无影响（P〉0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析发现仅基线HBeAg滴度低的患者更易出现HBeAg血清学转换。结论 LdT能有效恢复肝功能,抑制HBV复制和提高HBeAg血清转换;基线HBeAg滴度可预测LdT治疗HBeAg阳性CHB患者的HBeAg血清转换率。     

Intrahepatic response markers in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with peginterferon alpha-2a and adefovir

Background and Aim: We investigated whether intrahepatic markers could predict response in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients treated with peg‐interferon and adefovir for 48 weeks. Methods: Intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), total intrahepatic HBV DNA and the proportion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) positive hepatocytes in 16 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive and 24 HBeAg negative patients were measured at baseline and at end of treatment. Results: Baseline intrahepatic markers were not associated with sustained virological response (SVR) defined as HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL and persistent normal alanine aminotransferase levels at the end of follow‐up (week 72). At end of treatment, intrahepatic cccDNA and total intrahepatic HBV DNA in HBeAg positive patients were significantly lower in patients with HBeAg seroconversion (P = 0.016 and P = 0.010) with positive predictive values (PPV) for SVR of 80% and 80%, respectively. In HBeAg negative patients, intrahepatic cccDNA and total intrahepatic HBV DNA had declined significantly at end of treatment (P = 0.035 and P = 0.041) and corresponding PPV for SVR was 73% and 82%. In HBeAg positive patients, median proportion of HBcAg positive hepatocytes declined significantly (P = 0.002) at end of treatment. In HBeAg negative patients, the proportion of HBsAg positive hepatocytes had declined significantly at end of treatment (P = 0.0009). Using HBsAg ≤ 7.5% as a limit, PPV for SVR in HBeAg negative patients was 83%. Conclusions: At end of treatment in HBeAg positive patients, intrahepatic cccDNA and total intrahepatic HBV DNA were predictive for SVR. In HBeAg negative patients a proportion of < 7.5% HBsAg positive hepatocytes at end of treatment was a strong predictor for SVR.