肝组织cccDNA水平与血清病毒学应答后治疗时间的关系

目的 探讨慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝组织cccDNA水平与外周血HBV DNA<1000 拷贝/ml后继续治疗时间的关系.方法 分别采用荧光定量PCR、酶联免疫吸附分析法检测58例CHB患者肝组织HBV cccDNA水平、肝组织和血清HBV DNA载量、HBV标志物,分析肝组织HBV cccDNA水平、肝组织总HBV DNA水平、HBeAg血清学转换与血清病毒学应答后继续治疗时间的关系.组间比较采用Nemenyi法,相关分析采用Spearman法.结果 肝组织HBVcccDNA水平在血清HBV DNA两阳性组间尢明显差异,而阴性组明显低于阳性组(χ2=9.6948,P<0.01;χ2=9.2824,P<0.01).35例达到血清病毒学应答后行肝活组织检查的患者,肝组织cccDNA水平随继续治疗时间的延长而降低(χ2≥6.4674,P<0.05),肝组织cccDNA水平在抗-Hbe(+)组明显低于HBeAg(+)组、HBeAg(-)/抗-Hbe(-)组(χ2=10.7482,P<0.01;χ2=11.7549,P<0.01).14例肝组织cccDNA水平低十检测限的患者,有12例已经发生HBeAg血清学转换,占抗-Hbe(+)组的2/3,其在血清病毒学应答后继续治疗时间平均为35个月,发生HBeAg血清学转换后继续治疗时间平均为30个月.结论 当患者发生血清病毒学应答后,肝组织cccDNA水平随继续治疗时间延长而降低;继续治疗35个月以上且血清抗-Hbe持续(+)30个月以上时,有2/3的患者肝组织cccDNA定量低于检测限水平.     

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.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α－2a 治疗 HBeAg 阴性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效及影响因素

目的：观察聚乙二醇干扰素（PEG －IFN）α－2a 治疗 HBeAg 阴性慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者的疗效及其影响因素。方法收集2009年5月－2012年12月在南方医科大学南方医院感染内科就诊的 HBeAg 阴性的 CHB 患者103例,给予 PEG －IFNα－2a 135μg 治疗,平均疗程为13个月,治疗后随访48周,在治疗及随访期间每3个月检查肝功能、HBV DNA 定量。组间频数比较采用χ2检验,均数比较采用 t 检验,采用二分类多元 Logistic 回归法分析疗效的影响因素。结果103例患者治疗结束时,取得联合应答者84例,联合应答率为81．6％。随访过程中复发33例,复发率为39．3％,治疗后随访1年持续应答患者49例,持续应答率47．6％。经单因素和多因素分析,抗－HBe 阳性是唯一的与持续应答相关的独立影响因素（OR ＝3．69,P ＝0．013）,HBV DNA 定量、HBV 基因型、前 C ／BCP 区变异、肝脏病理等其他治疗前基线特征与持续应答无相关性。结论PEG －IFNα－2a 治疗 HBeAg 阴性 CHB 能够取得较好的疗效,但复发率较高;抗－HBe 阳性患者的持续应答率较高。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎72周疗程的疗效优于常规疗程

目的 评价聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a)治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)疗程对疗效的影响,探讨影响疗效的相关因素. 方法 收集2006年9月至2009年10月进行Peg-IFNα-2a(180 μg每周1次)治疗的HBeAg阳性CHB病例,将其分为常规治疗组(疗程48周)和延长治疗组(疗程72周).疗程结束后均随访24周.每3个月评估病毒学及生物化学应答直至疗程结束后24周.应用x2检验比较两组治疗结束时应答率,利用t检验、logistic回归探讨影响应答的因素.结果 完成本研究的患者86例,其中常规治疗组53例,延长治疗组33例,比较两组的人口学特征、性别、年龄、基线ALT水平、基线HBV DNA载量及基线HBeAg半定量(S/CO),P值均＞0.05,差异无统计学意义.治疗结束后,常规治疗组与延长治疗组比较:HBV DNA阴转率分别为41.5％、60.6％;HBeAg血清学转换率分别为32.1％、42.4％; HBsAg清除率分别为9.4％、18.2％;P值均＞0.05,差异均无统计学意义.治疗结束后随访24周,常规治疗组与延长治疗组比较:HBV DNA阴转率分别为62.3％、97.0％,x2=13.273 ; HBeAg血清学转换率分别为39.6％、57.6％,x2=6.765;HBsAg清除率分别为15.1％、36.4％,x2=5.155;复发率分别为58.5％、33.3％,x2=6.713;P值均＜0.05,差异均有统计学意义.根据logistic回归分析显示HBeAg清除与疗程(OR=3.702,95％CI为1.225～11.188)和性别(女性,OR=3.005,95％CI为1.038 ～ 8.696)呈正相关,与基线HBeAg水平(OR=0.999,95％CI为0.998～ 1.000)和年龄(OR=0.902,95％ CI为0.839 ～ 0.970)无关.结论 延长Peg-IFNα-2a治疗疗程可使HBeAg阳性CHB患者获得较高的HBV DNA阴转率、HBeAg血清学转换率、HBsAg清除率及更低的复发率,HBeAg清除与疗程及患者性别呈正相关.     

HBsAg阳性母亲所生婴儿的母婴阻断及全程接种乙型肝炎疫苗后免疫应答状态

目的 了解HBsAg阳性母亲所生婴儿的母婴阻断及全程接种乙型肝炎疫苗后免疫应答状态及变化规律.方法 对249例HBsAg阳性母亲的新生儿予以联合母婴阻断措施,并全程接种乙型肝炎疫苗,用微粒化学发光法跟踪测定婴儿生后7、12、24、36个月的HBsAg和抗-HBs水平.组间比较采用卡方检验.结果 HBsAg阳性母亲所生婴儿母婴阻断后不同时间免疫应答状态不同,7月龄婴儿无应答率为8.0%(20/249),低应答率为11.7%(29/249),强应答率为80.3%(200/249);12月龄婴儿无应答率为10.8%(13/120),低应答率为26.7%(32/120),强应答率为62.5%(75/120);24月龄婴儿无应答率14.8%(4/27),低应答率为33.3%(9/27),强应答率为51.9%(14/27),36月龄婴儿无应答率为14.3%(1/7),低应答率为28.6%(2/7),强应答率为57.1%(4/7);7月龄组与其他月龄组同等应答状态间比较,差异有统计学意义(x2=21.98,P＜0.01).强应答组婴幼儿抗-HBs效价出生7个月后出现逐渐下降的趋势,效价越高,其下降的例数越少,下降出现的时间越晚.抗-HBs效价＞1000 mIU/mL时,在36个月内下降比率为57.6%(19/33),下降高峰为24个月(57.9%,11/19);抗-HBs效价为100～1000 mIU/mL时,在36个月内下降比率为73.8%(31/42),下降高峰为12个月(54.8%,17/31).HBsAg阳性婴儿7月龄多表现为无应答状态,占全部无应答婴儿的70%(14/20,x2=128.61,P＜0.01),99%(189/191)HBsAg阴性婴儿多为强应答.HBeAg同时阳性母亲的婴儿无应答率有高于HBeAg阴性母亲婴儿的趋势,但差异无统计学意义(9.1%比5.5%,x2=0.24,P＞0.05).结论 HBsAg阳性母亲新生婴儿的母婴阻断及全程接种乙型肝炎疫苗后不同时间免疫应答状态不同,且呈动态变化;无应答状态多见于HBsAg阳性的免疫失败婴儿;HBsAg阴性婴儿大多呈强应答;HBeAg同时阳性的母亲婴儿更易呈低应答.建议完善母婴阻断后管理流程,特别是生后7个月～2年的积极随访监测.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合阿德福韦酯治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎的临床研究

目的 探讨聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFN) α-2a联合阿德福韦酯(ADV)治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB) 96周的疗效及安全性. 方法 25例初治HBeAg阴性CHB患者接受Peg-IFN α-2a(135μg/周或180μg/周)联合ADV (10 mg/d)治疗.96周治疗结束时,如获得HBsAg血清学转换则停药随访,否则停用Peg-IFN α-2a,继续ADV维持治疗.所有患者随访至120周.基线和治疗过程中每12周检测HBV DNA和HBsAg水平.计数资料采用x2检验或Fisher's exact test检验. 结果 Peg-IFNα-2a联合ADV治疗48周时,100％ (25/25)的患者HBV DNA低于检测值(＜ 500拷贝/ml),且在治疗过程中始终保持不可检测水平;治疗48周时HBsAg血清学转换率为12％ (3/25),96周上升至28％ (7/25).随访至120周,HBsAg血清学转换率为32％ (8/25).延长治疗至96周未见新的不良反应发生,其安全性同48周.结论 Peg-IFNα-2a联合ADV并延长疗程可显著提高HBeAg阴性CHB患者的抗病毒疗效,尤其可以提高HBsAg血清学转换率,是值得探索的优化治疗策略之一.     

α干扰素对慢性乙型肝炎e抗原阴性患者的疗效及影响因素

目的 了解α干扰素(1FN - α)对慢性乙型肝炎e抗原(HBeAg)阴性患者的疗效及影响因素。 方法 65例HBeAg阴性经肝穿刺活检证实的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者,给予r1FN α 1b治疗,每次5 MU,每周3次。治疗结束后随访至少12个月。以188例HBeAg阳性CHB患者作对照。 结果 HBeAg阴性组治疗未时联合应答(CR)率为58.5％(38/65),与对照组差异无显著性;随访12个月时CR率为75.4％(49/65),高于对照组(X2=4.796,P<0.05)。治疗后12个月内复发率为15,8％(6/38),与对照组差异无显著性。终点疗程中位数为6个月,与对照组差异无显著性。多变量(?)分类Logistic回归分析结果显示,性别、年龄、肝组织炎症活动度、肝组织纤维化程度、丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶 HBV DNA水平、抗-HBe诸因素中仅肝组织炎症活动度为疗效影响因素。 结论 1FN α对HBeAg阴性CHB患者近期疗效和持续效就与HBcAg阳性都相仿;肝组织炎症活动度高者疗效较佳。     

拉米夫定联合中药治疗慢性乙型肝炎11O例

[目的]探讨拉米夫定(LAM)联合中药治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的临床疗效.[方法]将212例CHB患者随机分为治疗组(110例)与对照组(102例).治疗组给予LAM联合中药治疗;对照组单用LAM治疗.LAM100 mg/d,疗程12个月;中医辨证治疗,根据不同证型,辨证施治,每日服中药1剂,疗程＞8个月.随访1 a.[结果]治疗6、12个月及随访1 a时,治疗组的丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)复常率、HBeAg转阴率、HBeAg血清转换率均明显高于对照组(P＜0.01).HBV-DNA转阴率2组在治疗3、6个月时段差异无统计学意义,而在12个月及随访1 a时段,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).[结论]LAM联合中药治疗,可提高CHB患者抗病毒治疗的持续应答率,减少停药后的病情复发,提高临床疗效.     

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.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合短程拉米夫定治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效

目的 探讨通过短程联合拉米夫定以提高聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 疗效的新治疗方法.方法 所有患者以聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 135μg开始治疗,在治疗12周时,若HBV DNA或HBeAg转阴,继续单独使用干扰素治疗至52周(A组),未达到上述条件者(B组)分为B1组及B2组,B1组短程联合拉米夫定治疗12周后继续干扰素治疗并完成52周疗程,B2组继续单独用干扰素治疗并完成52周疗程.符合正态分布的计量资料采用t检验;符合偏态分布的计量资料用中位数(全距)表示,采用秩和检验.结果共有58例患者入组,8例患者在治疗12周时出现HBV DNA或HBeAg转阴,单用干扰素完成52周疗程,治疗结束时HBV DNA转阴率、HBeAg血清学转换率,HBsAg转阴率及ALT复常率分别为8/8、6/8、0/8及8/8.B1组患者24例,治疗52周时HBV DNA转阴率、HBeAg血清学转换率,HBsAg转阴率及ALT复常率分别为50%(12/24)、38%(9/24)、4%(1/24)及63%(15/24);B2组患者26例,治疗52周时HBV DNA转阴率、HBeAg血清学转换率,HBsAg转阴率及ALT复常率分别为31%(8/26)、27%(7/26)、O(0/26)及35%(9/26).结论 聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗取得早期应答的患者治疗52周的应答率高;通过对早期疗效不佳的患者短程联合拉米夫定治疗,可提高干扰素的疗效,但有待更大样本量的随机临床试验证实.     

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.     

Is there a meaningful serum hepatitis B virus DNA cutoff level for therapeutic decisions in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection?

The diagnosis of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B indicating therapeutic intervention currently requires serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA >or=2,000 IU/mL. We evaluated the severity of liver histology and the presence of histological indication for treatment in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection focusing on those with low viremia and/or normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In total, 399 patients with increased ALT and detectable serum HBV DNA (chronic hepatitis B patients) and 35 cases with persistently normal ALT and HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL (inactive carriers) were included. Histological indication for treatment (grading score >or=7 and/or stage >or=2 in Ishak's classification) was found in 91% (185/203), 82% (75/91), 75% (47/63), and 62% (26/42) of chronic hepatitis B patients with HBV DNA >or=200,000, 20,000-199,999, 2,000-19,999, and <2,000 IU/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). Histological indication for treatment was more frequent in chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently elevated ALT (86% or 275/321), but it was also found in 74% (58/78) of those with transiently normal ALT (P = 0.025). All inactive carriers had HBV DNA <20,000 IU/mL. Histological indication for treatment was present in 17% (6/35) of inactive carriers always due to moderate (stage 2) fibrosis without active necroinflammation. CONCLUSION: HBeAg-negative chronic HBV patients with persistently or transiently increased ALT and HBV DNA >or=20,000 IU/mL almost always require therapeutic intervention, but histological indications for treatment are also present in the majority of such cases with HBV DNA <20,000 and even <2,000 IU/mL. In contrast, minimal histological lesions are observed in the majority of HBeAg-negative patients with persistently normal ALT and HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL, who may not require immediate liver biopsy and treatment but only close follow-up.     

Diagnosis and management of pre-core mutant chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis due to pre-core hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants presents as hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB). HBeAg-negative CHB represents a late phase in the natural course of chronic HBV infection that develops after HBeAg loss and seroconversion to anti-HBe. It is usually associated with pre-core stop codon mutation at nucleotide 1896 (mainly selected in non-A HBV genotypes), but also with other pre-core changes or with mutations in the basic core promoter region (mainly in HBV genotype A). In chronic HBV infections, pre-core mutants can be detected both in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB and in inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. The diagnosis of HBeAg-negative CHB is based on HBsAg positivity, HBeAg negativity, and mainly on increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum HBV-DNA levels and exclusion of other causes of liver disease. The differential diagnosis between patients with CHB and inactive HBsAg carriers can be made only by close follow-up of aminotransferase activity and viraemia levels, although the cut-off level of serum HBV DNA has not been definitely determined. IgM anti-HBc levels have also been suggested as an index that increases the diagnostic accuracy for transient hepatitis flares, while liver biopsy confirms the diagnosis and evaluates the severity of the liver disease. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and lamivudine are the two drugs that have been tried, mainly in the management of HBeAg-negative CHB. A 12-month course of IFN-alpha achieves sustained biochemical remission in about 20% of patients, which has been associated with improvement in the long-term outcome of this subset. A 12-month course of lamivudine is rather ineffective, maintaining remission in less than 15% of patients after cessation of therapy. Long-term lamivudine is associated with progressively increasing rate of virological and subsequent biochemical breakthroughs due to YMDD mutants, with approximately 30% of patients remaining in remission in the third year of therapy. Several other antiviral agents are currently being evaluated in this setting with combined regimens being the most reasonable step for the near future.     

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.     

Significance of hepatitis B viremia levels determined by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay in patients with hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection

OBJECTIVES: In hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the clinical relevance of low viremia levels remains unclear. We evaluated the clinical significance of a single baseline serum HBV DNA measurement by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in this setting. METHODS: In total, 196 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (62 inactive carriers, 134 with chronic hepatitis B) were studied. ALT activity was normal at baseline in 25/134 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients (18.7%), whereas it remained normal throughout follow-up in all inactive carriers. RESULTS: HBV DNA was <30,000 copies/ml in 14 (10.5%) and <100,000 copies/ml in 17 (12.9%) HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients, whereas it was <30,000 copies/ml in all inactive carriers (undetectable in 14). In particular, HBV DNA levels were <100,000 copies/ml in eight (32%) and <30,000 copies/ml in five (20%) of the 25 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B and normal baseline ALT values. HBV DNA levels with a cut-off at 30,000 or 100,000 copies/ml could correctly classify 92.9% or 91.3% of patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection, whereas ALT or IgM anti-HBc (IgM class antibody to HBV core antigen) index > 0.200 could correctly classify only 87.2% and 82.1% of patients, respectively. A combined HBV DNA and IgM anti-HBc index performed better by correctly classifying 94.4% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Serum HBV DNA levels evaluated by sensitive quantitative PCR assays can be used for differentiation between HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B and inactive hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state, but the cut-off level should be set at approximately 30,000 copies/ml and certainly lower than the recently suggested level of 100,000 copies/ml.     

Risk factors for active liver disease in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus-infected patients

OBJECTIVES: HBeAg-negative patients constitute approximately 70% of all chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in Southeast Asia, and some of these patients continue to suffer from active disease. We aimed to study the risk of hepatitis relapse in chronic HBV-infected patients with negative HBeAg and the predictor(s) of relapses. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients carrying HBsAg but lacking HBeAg. Patients recruited were required to have been followed for > or = 12 months with a minimum of three blood samples available for analysis. Patient demographic data, liver biochemistry, and HBV serology were analyzed in relation to relapses of hepatitis. Relapse was defined as an abrupt elevation of ALT > 200 IU/L or > 3-fold previous levels, whichever was higher. RESULTS: In a period of 3 months, 317 patients seen at the Hepatitis Clinic at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong were recruited. The median duration of follow-up was 34 months. On initial consultation, 111 (35.0%) patients had elevated ALT (>60 IU/L). Overall, 57 (18.0%) patients developed at least one relapse, including 37 (33.3%) patients with elevated ALT and 20 (9.7%) patients with normal ALT at the first visit. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that elevated ALT level at first presentation (odds ratio 4.17, 95% confidence interval 2.24-7.75) and male gender (odds ratio 2.83, 95% confidence interval 1.23-6.49) were the two independent factors associated with a higher risk of hepatitis relapse. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of a single ALT test for hepatitis relapse were 64.9%, 71.5%, 33.3%, and 90.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HBeAg-negative HBV carriers with normal ALT levels have a low risk of hepatitis relapse.     

Pilot study of combination therapy with ribavirin and interferon alfa for the retreatment of chronic hepatitis B e antibody-positive patients

Twenty-four patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe), HBV DNA positivity, and alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation who failed previous interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) therapy were included in a pilot study of combination therapy with ribavirin and IFN-alpha. The patients received daily oral ribavirin (1,000-1,200 mg according to body weight) plus 5 million units (MU) IFN-alpha2b three times a week for 12 months and were followed-up for 12 months. The median viremia level decreased significantly at the end of treatment (1.2 x 10(3) copies/mL) and follow-up (4.0 x 10(2) copies/mL) compared with the baseline (3.0 x 10(6) copies/mL; P <.05). After 12 months, 8 of 24 (33%) patients had cleared HBV DNA and 12 (50%) had normal ALT levels. At the end of the study virological and biochemical response was 50% and 21%, respectively. Thus, virological and biochemical response sustained in 5 of 24 (21%) patients retreated with ribavirin and IFN-alpha; none of them lost hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Liver histology improved in 2 of 4 sustained responders but in none of the 12 nonresponders with paired biopsies (P =.05). The response was independent of dose and duration of previous treatment, viral load, or the distribution of HBV precore wild-type/mutant variants. However, sustained responders had significantly higher necroinflammation (P =.036) and fibrosis (P =.007) scores. IFN-alpha-related side effects were mild and reversible on discontinuation. In 4 (17%) patients who suffered nausea and diarrhea the ribavirin dosage was reduced by 50% after 1 month of therapy and finally discontinued in all of them. No patient had liver disease decompensation. In summary, combination therapy with ribavirin and IFN-alpha may be efficacious to treat viremic anti-HBe-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B who have failed previous IFN therapy.     

Serum hepatitis B virus DNA levels differentiating inactive carriers from patients with chronic hepatitis B

OBJECTIVE: We compared serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA levels in different states of hepatitis B infection, and investigated whether there is an HBV-DNA value that can be used for differentiating inactive carriers from patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis. METHODS: A retrospective study using sera at a followed endpoint from 64 Japanese patients with chronic HBV infection seen in Kobe University Hospital between 1989 and 2002. Sera of patients were assayed using a polymerase chain reaction-based assay. RESULTS: Genotype C was dominant (95.4%). Patients with chronic hepatitis with an elevation of the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level had significantly higher HBV-DNA levels than patients with persistently normal ALT. For one time observation at a followed endpoint, the mean HBV-DNA level of HBeAg-negative inactive carriers was significantly lower than that of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis patients (3.6+/-1.0 versus 4.8+/-1.5 log copies/ml, P<0.005). The use of a cutoff value of 4.5 or 5.0 log copies/ml misclassified 23 and 18% of HBeAg-negative inactive carriers and 50 and 55% of patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis. If testing were performed on two occasions with approximately a 4-month interval, the cutoff values of 4.5 and 5.0 log copies/ml would misclassify 20 and 10% of HBeAg-negative inactive carriers and 28.6 and 28.6% of patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of serum HBV DNA more than twice is useful for assessing chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers and confirms that 10 copies/ml may be an appropriate level of HBV for characterizing the inactive carrier state.     

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…