HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理对比分析

目的探讨HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝组织病理炎症活动度分级和纤维化分期以及与临床的关系。方法对我院近年收治的1112例有肝穿病理资料的慢性乙型肝炎患者进行分析,比较HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性CHB患者肝组织病理的分级分期及其与肝功能的关系。结果1112例慢性乙型肝炎患者HBeAg阳性706例(占63.49%),HBeAg阴性406例(占36.51%)。两组肝组织病理炎症活动度分级及纤维化分期比较差异无显著性(P值均>0.05)。两组患者丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)与炎症分级比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论无论HBeAg阳性或阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝脏炎症分级及纤维化分期比较差异均无显著性,肝组织病理损伤基本相同。     

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.     

乙型肝炎病毒e抗原阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者的肝组织病理分级分期及其与丙氨酸氨基转移酶的关系

目的 观察乙型肝炎病毒e抗原（HBeAg）阴性慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者的肝组织病理分级、分期及其与丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）的关系.方法 收集我院HBeAg阴性CHB406例肝穿病理标本,常规HE、Masson三重染色,光镜下观察其病理变化并进行分级和分期,并比较其与ALT的关系.结果 病理诊断为HBeAg阴性CHB轻度292例（71.92%）,中度96例（23.65%）,重度18例（4.43%）.其中73.65%的患者肝脏炎症损伤≥G2,64%患者已出现不同程度的肝纤维化.炎症活动度分级与ALT分级比较差异无显著性（P=0.367）.结论 70%的HBeAg阴性CHB患者存在不同程度肝脏炎症损伤和（或）肝纤维化,且与ALT的增高程度没有相关性,约30%的患者肝脏炎症损伤和纤维化程度较重.     

聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2a治疗慢性乙型肝炎的疗效及影响因素

目的 观察聚乙二醇化干扰素(PEG-IFN)α-2a治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者抗病毒的疗效及影响抗病毒疗效的因素. 方法 将102例ALT＞2×正常值上限(ULN)的慢性乙型肝炎患者分成HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性两组,用PEG-IFN α-2a 180μg皮下注射,每周1次治疗,患者基本疗程12个月,6个月无治疗应答者停药.观察治疗结束时及治疗结束后6、12、18、24、30个月应答情况.观察ALT水平,HBV DNA载量及肝组织炎症和纤维化程度对治疗应答的影响.结果 (1)HBeAg阳性组患者治疗结束时的完全应答率及停药后6、12、18、24、30个月的完全应答率与HBeAg阴性组患者相似,差异均无统计学意义.(2)HBeAg阳性组患者治疗前ALT＞3×ULN者治疗结束时的完全应答率为78.8%,2×ULN＜ALT≤3 ×ULN患者完全应答率为52.2%,差异有统计学意义(x 2=4.40,P＜0.05),而HBeAg阴性组患者,差异无统计学意义.(3)治疗前HBV DNA载量水平(低、中、高3个组),HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性组患者治疗结束时的完全应答率,差异均无统计学意义.(4)HBeAg阳性组患者治疗前肝组织炎症G3、G4组完全应答率为85.7%,G1、G2组患者完全应答率为55.9%,差异有统计学意义(x2=4.19,P＜0.05),而HBeAg阴性组患者分别为81.8%和79.2%,差异无统计学意义.HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性组患者肝纤维化程度S1、S2组与S3、S4组的治疗完全应答率比较,差异均无统计学意义. 结论 PEG-IFN α-2a对HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性的慢性乙型肝炎患者均有较好的治疗应答.对肝组织炎症活动度高(G3、G4)和血清ALT高水平(＞3×ULN)的患者,PEG-IFNα-2a治疗的疗效好.     

乙型肝炎病毒e抗原及其免疫复合物的检测及意义

拉米夫定(LAM)治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的总体疗效有限,根据治疗前血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)水平、乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)DNA含量、肝脏炎症坏死评分选择患者可提高疗效。监测LAM治疗CHB时血清乙型肝炎病毒e抗原免疫复合物(HBeAg/IC)状态及乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBeAg)含量的动态变化,探讨其预测疗效的作用。     

肝脏病理学特征对聚乙二醇干扰素α治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者HBeAg血清学转换的影响

目的 探讨聚乙二醇干扰素α治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的疗效及肝脏病理学特征等因素对HBeAg血清学转换的影响. 方法 80例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者治疗前均行肝穿刺术,皮下注射Peg-IFN α,每周1次,治疗48周,随访24周.治疗结束后统计HBeAg的血清学转换情况,并结合肝脏病理学特征及性别、年龄、ALT、HBeAg半定量、HBV DNA定量等基线指标分析影响HBeAg血清学转换的相关因素.用多变量二分类logistic回归分析方法分析HBeAg血清学转换的影响因素. 结果 80例患者治疗48周时血清学转换率为30.00％ (24/80),其中22例肝组织炎症活动度为G1,HBeAg血清学转换率为9.09％;38例为G2,HBeAg血清学转换率为31.58％;19例为G3,HBeAg血清学转换率为47.3％;1例为G4,HBeAg成功转换.随着炎症活动度的升高,HBeAg血清学转换率逐步升高(x2=8.435,P=0.015);而肝组织纤维化程度与HBeAg血清学转换率无显著相关性(x2=5.917,P=0.116).性别、年龄、ALT、HBV DNA等基线指标在HBeAg 血清学转换组与未转换组的差异无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05).多变量二分类logistic回归分析结果显示,诸因素中仅肝组织炎症活动度(G)与HBeAg半定量为疗效影响因素.结论 HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎肝组织炎症活动度高者聚乙二醇干扰素α治疗HBeAg血清学转换率较高,建议对需要治疗的患者应尽可能先行肝活组织检查.     

干扰素α个体化治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎2年随访

目的 了解IFN-α个体化治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者的疗效.方法 经肝组织穿刺活检证实的HBeAg阴性CHB患者76例,给予IFN-α1b治疗,每次5 MU,每周3次.治疗结束后随访至少24个月.联合应答定义为血清ALT复常,且HBV DNA<3 loglo拷贝/mL.所有资料均行意向性分析(ITT).结果 脱落6例.疗程中位数为8.5(2～24)个月,终点疗程中位数为6.0(2～19)个月,终点疗程第75百分位数为10.0个月.治疗末时联合应答率为46.1%(35/76),随访12个月时为43.3%(33/76),随访24个月时为40.8%(31/76).随访12个月时复发率为20.0%(7/35),随访24个月时为25.7%(9/35).多变量二分类Logistic分析显示,肝组织炎性活动度较高者较易应答(偏回归系数=0.834,P=0.023,OR=2.303,95%可信区间为:1.120,4.735),而性别、年龄、肝组织纤维化程度、ALT、AST、HBV DNA载量等为非疗效影响因素.结论 IFN-α个体化治疗HBeAg阴性CHB患者有一定的持续效应.     

乙型肝炎病毒核心启动子缺失突变导致HBeAg表达不能

目前认为10%～30%的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者为乙型肝炎e抗原(HBeAg)阴性CHB,表现为丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)反复波动或持续异常,对干扰素α(IFNα)治疗的疗效差,病情呈持续发展,易进展为肝硬化和(或)原发性肝癌[1].     

HBeAg阳性和阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织学与血清学关系的比较

目的 研究慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者(1×ULN≤ALT≤2×ULN)肝组织学与血清学的关系.方法 对全国多中心516例CHB患者(1×ULN≤ALT≤2×ULN)行血清学及肝穿刺病理检查,依据血清HBeAg表达水平将患者分为HBeAg阳性组和HBeAg阴性组,分析两组肝组织病理学与血清学指标的相关性.结果 HBeAg阳性患者肝组织炎症分级和肝纤维化分期与血清HBsAg和HBeAg表达水平呈负相关(P＜0.01),与血清透明质酸(HA)和α2-巨球蛋白水平呈正相关(P＜0.01),与血清HBVDNA水平无明显相关性;HBeAg阴性患者肝组织炎症分级和肝纤维化分期与血清HBV DNA水平呈正相关(P＜0.01),与HBsAg、HA和α2-巨球蛋白等无明显相关性.结论 血清HBV DNA可做为HBeAg阴性CHB患者肝脏病变程度的有效预测指标,HBsAg、HBeAg、HA和α2-巨球蛋白均可做为HBeAg阳性CHB患者肝组织损伤的预测指标.     

苦参素联合胸腺因子α1应用于阿德福韦酯治疗后HBV DNA阴性HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎的临床研究

目的:探讨苦参素联合胸腺因子α1应用于阿德福韦酯治疗后HBV DNA阴性HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的临床疗效.方法:选择150例CHB患者,均首次选用阿德福韦酯抗病毒治疗,在治疗48周、96周、144周时检测患者肝功能、HBV DNA、乙型肝炎病毒标志物(HBV-M)、甲胎蛋白(AFP)、肝胆脾超声,并记录患者症状变化.在治疗144周后,我们选取HBV DNA阴性而HBeAg阳性的CHB 37例,随机分为两组,治疗组19例,在继续服用阿德福韦酯的基础上,加用苦参素和胸腺因子α1;对照组18例,继续单独服用阿德福韦酯,疗程均为6个月.观察患者症状、肝功能、HBV-M、肝纤维化指标、肝胆脾超声等.结果:150例患者在治疗48周、96周、144周时,HBV DNA阴转率分别为36.00％、60.67％、82.00％;ALT复常率分别为61.33％、76.00％、89.33％;HBeAg阴转率分别为34.00％、52.00％、72.00％,与治疗前相比,差异均有显著性意义(P＜0.05).选取的19例HBV DNA阴性而HBeAg阳性的CHB患者,在治疗6个月后HBeAg阴转率高于对照组(P＜0.05),肝纤维化指标改善明显(P＜0.05).结论:阿德福韦酯治疗CHB,可以有效地降低病毒载量、改善患者肝功能、促进HBeAg阴转.阿德福韦酯治疗后HBV DNA阴性而HBeAg阳性的CHB者,加用苦参素和胸腺因子α1治疗可取得比单用阿德福韦酯更好的疗效.     

End-of-treatment virologic response does not predict relapse after lamivudine treatment for chronic hepatitis B

AIM: Attaining hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion during lamivudine treatment is associated with fewer relapses in HBeAg-positive patients. In HBeAg-negative patients, predictors for post-treatment relapse remain largely unknown. We therefore studied whether end-of-treatment virologic response correlated with relapse after lamivudine treatment. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 12 HBeAg-negative patients and 14 HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B, who received at least 9 mo of lamivudine treatment and were followed up for 12 mo post-treatment. Relapse of hepatitis B activity was defined by an elevation of serum ALT level above twice the upper limit of normal as well as reappearance of serum HBV DNA by the branched DNA assay or HBeAg during the follow-up period. The serum viral loads during and at the end of treatment were further determined by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: Relapse occurred in 6 (50.0%) HBeAg-negative patients within 12 mo post-treatment. Two relapsers had end-of-treatment serum viral load <1 000 copies/mL, the proportion was not significantly different from that in the 6 non-relapsers (33.3% vs 16.7%; P = 1.00). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels did not correlate with post-treatment relapse in HBeAg-positive patients either. However, genotype C patients tended to have a lower relapse rate than genotype B patients (14.3% vs 57.9%, P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that end-of-treatment virologic response cannot predict post-treatment relapse in patients with HBeAg-negative or -positive chronic hepatitis B. The impact of HBV genotype on the response to lamivudine treatment awaits further studies.     

HBeAg状态及乙型肝炎病毒载量对慢性重型乙型肝炎预后的影响

目的 探讨HBeAg状态及HBV DNA载量对慢性重型乙型肝炎预后的影响.方法 回顾分析2002年1月至2007年12月在南方医科大学南方医院住院的慢性重型乙型肝炎患者406例,研究HBeAg状态、HBV DNA载量对疾病预后的影响.计量资料采用t检验,率的比较采用X2检验.结果 406例重型肝炎患者中,HBeAg阳性208例,占51.2%,HBeAg阴性198例,占48.8%.HBeAg阳性组与HBeAg阴性组比较,两组间男女构成比、TBil峰值及平均凝血酶原活动度谷值差异均无统计学意义;HBeAg阴性组平均年龄(46.7±12.8)岁,显著高于HBeAg阳性组(38.3±13.5)岁(t=6.43,P＜0.01);HBeAg阴性组肝硬化患者占67.7%,亦显著高于HBeAg阳性组的45.7%(X2=19.97,P＜0.01);HBeAg阴性组好转率为32.3%,显著低于HBeAg阳性组的44.7%(X2=6.56,P＜0.05).在208例HBeAg阳性与198例HBeAg阴性患者中,均显示随着HBV DNA载量的升高,其好转率下降,呈显著负相关(X2=22.98,X2=26.04;均P＜0.01).结论 HBeAg阴性重型乙型肝炎较HBeAg阳性者预后差;无论HBeAg状态如何,HBV DNA载量越高,其预后越差.     

Hepatitis B virus DNA prediction rules for hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B

After hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, hepatitis B may become inactive or progress to HBeAg-negative hepatitis with persistent or intermittent alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. The aim of this study was to prospectively identify factors predictive of the clinical course in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Patients were stratified by ALT and HBeAg status and followed every 3 months for up to 5 years. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis using the change from normal ALT to elevated ALT as endpoints were performed to determine factors associated with ALT elevation/normalization. Seventy-four HBeAg-negative and 32 HBeAg-positive patients were prospectively evaluated. For HBeAg-negative patients, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was predictive of future ALT. Only 1 patient with normal ALT and an HBV DNA value lower than 10,000 copies/mL developed an elevated ALT within the subsequent year, whereas 67% with an HBV DNA value greater than 100,000 copies/mL had a rise in ALT above normal within 1 year. Patients with a previous history of ALT elevation and longer follow-up at all levels of HBV DNA were more likely to experience ALT elevations. For HBeAg-negative patients with elevated ALT and all HBeAg-positive patients, HBV DNA did not predict future ALT. Other viral and host factors were not predictive of future ALT. CONCLUSION: HBeAg-negative CHB has a fluctuating course. HBV DNA values lower than 10,000 copies/mL predict persistently normal ALT for at least 1 year. Patients with HBV DNA values between 10,000 and 100,000 copies/mL can safely be followed at 6 monthly intervals, whereas HBV DNA values greater than 100,000 copies/mL are highly predictive of future ALT elevation and should prompt regular follow-up.     

HBeAg阴性与阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床病理比较研究

目的探讨HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床病理学差异。方法选择2008年01-05月在北京佑安医院住院并作活体肝组织穿刺病理学诊断（肝穿）且诊断为慢性乙型肝炎的患者157例,其中HBeAg（＋）组87例,HBeAg（-）组50例,对2组间的血清学指标及肝穿病理结果进行对比分析。结果①HBeAg（＋）组和HBeAg（-）组HBV DNA阳性率比较有统计学差异（P=0．0000）;②HBeAg（＋）组患者的ALT异常率要高于HBeAg（-）组,差异具有统计学意义（P=0．023）;⑧HBeAg（＋）组的病理炎症分级要重于HBeAg（-）组,差异具有统计学意义（P=0．0021）,但2组间纤维化程度差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;④HBeAg（-）组中HBV DNA（＋）组的病理炎症分级要重于HBV DNA（-）组,差异有统计学意义（P=0．007）,但2组间纤维化程度差异没有统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论血清HBeAg阳性是判断HBV复制的良好指标。对HBeAg阴性患者应常规测定血清HBV DNA水平,筛查前C区变异。尤其应对HBeAg阴性且HBV DNA高水平的患者加以重视,结合肝穿结果综合评估病情以指导临床诊疗。     

Profile of hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Although chronic hepatitis B occurs in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients, its prevalence and clinical significance are not known. AIM: To determine the prevalence and profile of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 363 consecutive patients (mean age 36 y; 288 men) with chronic HBV infection was performed. All patients were HBsAg-positive. Tests for liver profile, HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody were performed in all patients. Serum HBV DNA was tested using branched DNA assay in 245 patients. The patients were classified into three groups: no cirrhosis with normal ALT levels, no cirrhosis with elevated ALT levels, and clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Of 363 patients, 141 (39%) were HBeAg-positive and 222 (61%) HBeAg-negative. Of HBeAg-negative patients, 120 (54%) had normal ALT, 45 (20%) had elevated ALT and 57 (26%) had evidence of cirrhosis; corresponding figures in the HBeAg-positive patients were 40 (28%), 66 (47%) and 35 (25%). HBV DNA was positive in 53 of 131 (40%) HBeAg-negative patients tested; of these 53 patients, 9 (17%) had normal ALT, 20 (38%) had elevated ALT and 24 (45%) had cirrhosis. Thus, 72% of HBeAg-positive and 46% of HBeAg-negative patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Among the latter group, 83% of HBV DNA-positive patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Overall, 18% of HBsAg-positive patients had HBeAg-negative, HBV DNA-positive liver disease. CONCLUSION: HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B is not an uncommon and benign entity and chronic liver disease develops in a significant proportion of such patients.     

慢性HBV感染者血清HBeAg、HBV DNA载量与肝组织病理损伤的关系

目的对比不同年龄阶段乙型肝炎e抗原（HBeAg）阳性及HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染者的肝脏病理特点。方法 323例慢性HBV感染者分为HBeAg阳性组与HBeAg阴性组,每组以40岁为界分为高龄组与低龄组,均经肝穿刺活组织检查,同时检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、HBV DNA,分析HBeAg阳性与HBeAg阴性患者高龄组与低龄组的肝脏病理损伤与血清ALT及HBV DNA水平的关系。结果 HBeAg阳性高龄组与HBeAg阴性高龄组比较具有更明显的炎症程度（P〈0.05）及更高的HBV DNA载量（P〈0.01）,HBeAg阳性低龄组与HBeAg阴性低龄组比较HBV DNA载量较高（P〈0.01）,但炎症程度无明显差异（P〉0.05）。HBeAg阴性非活动性HBV携带者与HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝脏病理炎症、纤维化程度及血清HBV DNA水平在高龄组差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,而在低龄组差异无统计学意义。结论慢性HBV感染者血清HBeAg表达和HBV DNA水平与肝组织病理炎症分级的关系在不同年龄阶段表现不同,血清HBeAg表达与否和HBV DNA水平高低不能单独作为判断肝组织病理变化程度的指标。     

1686例慢性乙型肝炎中HBeAg阴性与阳性患者临床和病毒学特点比较分析

目的通过大样本横断面回顾性调查,了解HBeAg(-)和HBeAg( )两类慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者临床相关因素的异同。方法对1686例CHB患者的住院病历进行回顾性调查,分析HBeAg(-)和HBeAg( )CHB患者ALT、HBV DNA定量、肝组织病理(炎症及纤维化)等指标的组内和组间差异。结果HBeAg(-)CHB628例,占37·3%;HBeAg( )CHB1058例,占62·7%。HBeAg( )组ALT、HBV DNA总体上均高于HBeAg(-)组。HBeAg( )组肝组织炎症及纤维化程度总体上均轻于HBeAg(-)组。结论目前我国CHB病例以HBeAg( )者占多数。无论HBeAg(-)或HBeAg( )CHB,肝炎活动在病毒复制活跃时均重于病毒复制水平较低时。HBeAg(-)CHB肝组织学损害重于HBeAg( )CHB。     

Circulating IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in chronic hepatitis B: their relations to HBeAg status and the activity of liver disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Preferential production of immunoregulatory cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B. We aimed to determine the serum levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis B and to correlate these findings with the activity of liver disease, HBeAg/anti-HBe status and replication level of the virus. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-two chronic hepatitis B patients were categorized into 4 groups according to activity of liver disease and HBeAg status. Group 1 (n = 13): HBeAg and HBV DNA-positive with persistently normal ALT. Group 2 (n = 20): HBeAg and HBV DNA-positive patients with persistently elevated ALT. Group 3 (n = 19): HBeAg and HBV DNA-negative patients with persistently normal ALT. Group 4 (n = 20): HBeAg-negative patients with persistently elevated ALT and variable serum HBV DNA. IL-2, IL-10 and TNFa levels were determined in stored patient sera. RESULTS: Apart from group 1 patients, all patients groups had higher IL-2 levels compared to controls suggesting that IL-2 production is increased when liver disease becomes active in HBeAg-positive phase of HBV infection. Only group 2 patients had elevated IL-10 levels compared to controls. None of the HBeAg-negative patients had detectable TNF-alpha levels while 64% HBeAg-positive patients had elevated levels of TNF-alpha irrespective of the activity of liver disease. Except TNF-alpha, no association was found between HBV DNA status and the presence or absence of detectable cytokines in circulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that circulating cytokine profile in chronic hepatitis B is related with the HBeAg status, replication level of the virus and the activity of liver disease.     

Efficacy of thymosin alpha-1 and interferon alpha in treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B： A randomized controlled study

INTRODUCTION Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious problem worldwide and may result in adverse sequelae, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)[1-2], which is becoming more prevalent worldwide, especially in HBV-endemic area…     

Characteristic of liver pathology in HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with mildly elevated ALT

To analyse the live pathology characteristics in mild ALT-elevated (1 x ULN less than ALT less than 2 x ULN ) HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and to explore the influence of the age and HBV DNA level to liver pathology in different HBeAg status patients. Methods All the patients who met the inclusion criteria form "eleventh five-year plan" National Science and Technology Major Project, the treatment program of integrative traditional and western medicine for CHB were enrolled in this study between October 2009 and March 2011 .B type ultrasound-guided liver biopsy was carried out in all patients and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) , HBeAg titer as well as HBV DNA level were detected at the same time. Hepatic tissue inflammation and fibrosis degree of patients according to HBeAg-positive and negative, age ( more than or equal to 40 years and less than 40 years), HBV DNA level (more than or equal to 10^5copy/ml and less than l0^5 copy/ml) were compared respectively. Chi-square test was used to compare the constitute percentage between the two samples. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed to evaluate the correlation between different factors. Results There were no significant difference in the grade of liver inflammation and the stage of liver fibrosis between 389 HBeAg positive and 126 HBeAg-negative patients (X2=4.326 and X2=3.464, respectively, P values were all more than 0.05). In the group of patients with age less than 40 years, the distribution of different liver inflammation and fibrosis had no significant difference between HBeAg-positive and negative patients (X2=2.543 and X2=5.024, respectively, P values were all more than 0.05). In the group of patient with age more than or equal to 40 years, the percentage of moderate and severe inflammation (G3, G4) HBeAg-positive patients(32.9%) owned is much higher than that of HBeAg-negative patients(16.4%), X2=8.777, P less than 0.05.But the stage of liver fibrosis in HBeAg-positive patients was not significantly different than that of HBeAg-negative ones (X2=0.977, P more than 0.5). In the group of patients with HBV DNA more than or equal to 10^5copy/ml, the percentage of mild inflammation in HBeAg-positive patients (17.5%) was much high than that of HBeAg-negative patients(7.3%), X2=8.851, P less than 0.05. The stage of liver fibrosis between HBeAg-positive and negative patients was no significant difference (X2=8.227, P more than 0.05).In the patients with HBV DNA less than 10^5 copy/ml, The percentage of HBeAg-negative patients(29.6%) with mild inflammation(G1) was much higher than HBeAg-positive patients (6.9%), X2=6.357, P less than 0.05. There was no significant difference in the stage of liver fibrosis between HBeAg-positive and negative patients (X2=4.061, P more than 0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age was the independent risk factor for different degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis seriousness. Conclusion The status of HBeAg has no association with the grade of liver inflammation and the stage of liver fibrosis in CHB patients with mildly elevated ALT. The percentage of moderate and severe inflammation in the HBeAg-positive patients with age more than or equal to 40 years was significantly elevated. The grade of liver inflammation has significant difference between HBeAg-positive and negative patients with different HBV DNA levels as well.