HBV感染对孕妇产后母乳喂养的影响及护理策略

目的 了解HBV感染产妇乳汁HBV DNA水平状况,为决定是否给予母乳喂养提供依据。方法 2016年2月~2017年1月在我院分娩的135例HBV携带孕妇,采用时间分辨免疫荧光法检测HBV标志物,采用荧光定量PCR法检测HBV DNA。结果 64例血清HBV DNA载量<1×106 copies/ml组、15例1×106~1×107copies/ml组、21例1×107~1×108copies/ml组、32例1×108~1×109copies/ml组和3例≥1×109copies/ml组乳汁HBV DNA检出率分别为0.0%、13.3%、28.6%、35.7%和66.7%;19例血清HBsAg/HBeAg/抗-HBc阳性产妇乳汁HBV DNA检出率为68.4%,显著高于27例血清HBsAg/抗-HBe/抗-HBc阳性组的25.9%、或12例抗-HBe/抗-HBc阳性组的8.3%、或77例血清抗-HBs/抗-HBe/抗-HBc阳性组的1.3%（P<0.05）。结论 血清HBsAg/HBeAg/抗-HBc阳性或血清HBV DNA水平>1×107copies/ml的产妇乳汁HBV DNA阳性率较高,不建议这些人群进行母乳喂养。     

HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性的慢性乙型肝炎患者临床特点分析

目的分析HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性的现象及其临床特点,并探讨其产生的原因。方法收集2011年2月-2014年2月东南大学附属第二医院体检者2260例,其中被诊断为慢性乙型肝炎的患者830例。采用化学发光微粒子免疫分析法筛选HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性的患者188例,分为HBeAg阳性组(n=101)和HBeAg阴性组(n=87)。同时选取200例HBsAg阳性、抗-HBs阴性者作为对照,其中HBeAg阳性组80例,HBeAg阴性组120例。检测HBV血清学标志物、肝功能、病毒载量并结合临床进行分析。计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验。结果 HBV血清学标志物在HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性情况下共有5种模式,其中以HBsAg、抗-HBs、HBeAg及抗-HBc阳性,且抗-HBe阴性多见,占47.9%(90/188),肝功能指标总异常率为69.1%(130/188),HBV DNA总阳性率为56.9%(107/188)。HBeAg阳性的2组HBV DNA均存在高水平复制,其中HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性组HBV DNA阳性率与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.632,P0.05);HBeAg阴性组中,HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性组HBV DNA定量1×105IU/ml的比例与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(χ2=10.740,P0.05)。对HBV S区进行测序分析发现,测序的80例HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性患者中有27例患者的HBV S区发生变异,突变率33.7%,且S区变异位点主要有P29L、S61L、P62L、I126T/S、Q129N、M133K、F134L、G145R/K、L175S和L186H等。结论 HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性者在乙型肝炎患者中有一定比例,其主要原因可能是病毒株变异所致。这种情况并不代表疾病好转,且抗-HBs出现并不一定能完全有效清除HBsAg,病毒DNA往往存在持续复制,需引起重视。     

江苏启东地区不同背景HBsAg阳性者乙肝病毒感染状态对比分析

目的调查启东肝癌高发区不同背景HBsAg阳性者中乙肝病毒免疫状态和复制活跃程度。方法采用荧光定量PCR法对377例HBsAg阳性者进行血清HBV DNA载量检测,其中HBeAg阳性104例,原发性肝癌173例,有肝癌家族史129例。结果①肝癌患者抗-HBe转换率显著低于非肝癌患者,HBV DNA阳性率显著高于非肝癌患者（P〈0.05或〈0.01）。②HBeAg阳性者HBV DNA阳性率和平均水平均高于HBeAg阴性者,抗-HBe转换患者的HBV DNA平均水平显著低于未转换者（P均〈0.01）。③有肝癌家族史患者HBeAg阳性率显著低于无肝癌家族史患者,血清HBV DNA平均水平也显著低于后者（P〈0.05或〈0.01）。④HBV DNA与HBeAg呈正相关,与抗-HBe呈负相关;有肝癌家族史、抗-HBe阳性的男性患者HBV DNA水平较低。结论HBV活跃复制与肝癌发生密切相关;启东肝癌高发区HBV DNA水平与HBeAg呈正相关,与抗-HBe呈负相关;临床上应重视对HBsAg阳性者HBeAg模式和HBV DNA的联合检测,并根据不同背景正确判断病情及治疗效果。     

前S1蛋白与病毒DNA和核心抗原对乙型肝炎病毒复制诊断的对比

目的 分析前S1(Pre-S1)蛋白在诊断慢性乙型病毒性肝炎病毒复制中的作用。 方法 收集慢性乙型病毒性肝炎患者共104例,均经肝活组织检查证实。检测其Pre S1蛋白,HBV标志物与HBV DNA。结果 HBsAg、HBeAg、抗-HBc阳性者29例,HBV DNA与Pre-S1蛋白的检出率均达96.5％,这组患者存在病毒的高复制。HBsAg、抗-HBe和抗-HBc阳性者65例,HBV DNA与Pre-S1蛋白的检出率分别为81.5％和72.3％;HBsAg和抗-HBc阳性者8例,HBV DNA与Pre-S1蛋白的检出率分别为87.5％、75.0％,说明部分HBeAg阴性而抗-HBe阳性/阴性的患者仍存在着病毒复制。以HBV DNA定量>103拷贝/ml为诊断标准,HBV DNA阳性患者HBeAg、Pre-S1蛋白的检出率分别为31.5％(28/89)、80.9％(72/89);两者与HBV DNA的总符合率分别为40.0％(42/104)、82.0％(85/104)。HBV DNA与HBeAg检出率差异有显著性(x2=53.397,P<0.001);HBV DNA与Pre-S1蛋白检出率差异无显著性。 结论Pre-S1蛋白较HBeAg更敏感的反映了HBV复制的情况。     

肝细胞癌患者血清HBeAg和HBV DNA的检测

目的探讨HBV感染与肝细胞癌发生之间的关系。方法回顾性分析乙型肝炎和肝细胞癌患者血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物和HBV DNA的变化。结果在75例肝细胞癌患者中,HBsAg阳性94.6%,HBsAb阳性5.3%,HBeAg阳性10.6%,HBeAb阳性66.6%,HBcAb阳性74.6%）;HBV DNA≤103～105copies/ml为61.3%,≥106copies/ml为17.3%;慢性乙型肝炎患者中HBsAg均为阳性,HBsAb均为阴性,HBeAg阳性为28.3%,HBeAb阳性为73.3%,HBcAb阳性为84.0%。结论慢性HBV感染者HBeAg阴性或血清转换,HBV DNA载量下降,要警防HCC的发生。     

乙型肝炎患者血清HBeAg和抗-HBe与HBV DNA定量的关系

目的分析比较HBV血清标志物HBe Ag与抗-HBe同时阳性、同时阴性及单独阳性患者的病毒复制情况。方法采用电化学发光法检测HBV血清标志物,从中筛选出HBe Ag与抗-HBe同时阳性或均为阴性以及HBe Ag单独阳性或抗-HBe单独阳性的标本,检测该类标本HBV DNA定量值。计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验。结果检测447例患者HBV血清标志物,所有患者HBs Ag均为阳性。HBe Ag与抗-HBe同时阳性患者32例,阳性率为7.16%,其中HBV DNA5×102拷贝/ml占84.38%,5×102拷贝/mlHBV DNA1×104拷贝/ml占12.50%,1×104拷贝/mlHBV DNA1×107拷贝/ml占3.13%;HBe Ag与抗-HBe同时阳性组的HBV DNA含量分布低于HBe Ag单独阳性组,差异有统计学意义(χ2=13.21,P0.01);抗-HBe阳性组的HBV DNA含量分布低于抗-HBe阴性组(χ2=74.12,P0.01);HBe Ag阴性的患者218例,HBV DNA1×104拷贝/ml共9例(4.13%)。结论HBe Ag与抗-HBe同时阳性过去认为是不常见模式,但临床上并不少见,且病毒复制处于较高水平的仍占一定比例;当抗-HBe出现后,病毒复制减弱。血清HBe Ag阴性情况下,部分患者病毒仍存在较高水平复制。因此,HBe Ag存在与否不能作为抗病毒、疗效评价、传染性强弱的依据。     

乙型肝炎肝硬化和肝癌患者肝组织HBV复制状态分析

目的了解肝硬化和肝癌患者HBV的复制状态。方法在1982例肝癌和1995例乙型肝炎肝硬化患者,常规检测HBV标记物,并在其中12例患者取得肝组织进行HBVcccDNA检测。结果肝硬化和肝癌患者抗HBe阳性所占比例分别为61.7%和74%(P<0.01);将肝硬化和肝癌患者合并后,血清抗HBe阳性者血清HBVDNA≤103拷贝/毫升者占69.1%,高于HBeAg阳性者的21.6%(P<0.01);抗HBe阳性患者HBV DNA≥107拷贝/毫升者占6.4%,低于HBeAg阳性者的42.0%(P<0.01);HBeAg阳性和抗HBe阳性患者HBV DNA载量分别为6.1lg拷贝/毫升和3.8lg拷贝/毫升(P<0.01);在送检的12例肝组织,HBV DNA均阳性,HBVcccDNA阳性8例。结论肝硬化和肝癌患者抗-HBe阳性比例较高,肝组织HBVcccDNA仍可被检出。     

定量检测血清HBV标志物不同阳性组合模式与HBV DNA定量之间的关系

目的探讨定量检测乙型肝炎病毒血清标志物(HBVM)与HBV DNA定量之间的关系。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR仪检测HBV DNA，采用时间分辨荧光免疫分析仪检测HBVM。结果371例乙型肝炎患者表现12种阳性模式，除常见模式外，发现3种HBVM特殊模式，即抗-HBe与HBeAg共存，即抗-HBs与HBeAg或与HBsAg共存模式。含有HBeAg的各种模式病毒含量高，病毒复制活跃，HBV DNA阳性率多数较高。结论时间分辨荧光免疫分析法是一种敏感、特异方法，HBVM各项指标中，抗原意义远大于抗体意义，只要有HBeAg存在的模式，就代表病毒复制活跃及传染性强。抗-HBe与HBeAg共存或抗-HBs与-HBeAg或与HBsAg共存时，抗-HBs不能清除HBV，抗-HBs及抗-HBe也不代表病毒复制减少。     

HBV前S1抗原在乙型肝炎临床诊断中的意义

目的探讨乙型肝炎(乙肝)病毒前S1抗原在乙肝病毒感染中的临床意义。方法分析1088例HBV前S1抗原阳性结果与乙肝5项病毒学指标和HBV DNA结果的关系。结果前S1抗原阳性的乙肝5项病毒学指标结果出现6种模式,其中HBsAg、HBeAg、抗HBc阳性患者的前S1抗原阳性率为88.74%;HBsAg、抗HBe、抗HBc阳性患者前S1抗原阳性率为41.32%,2组间有显著差异(P<0.05),而HBsAg及抗HBc阳性组前S1抗原阳性率介于HBsAg、HBeAg、抗HBc阳性组与HBsAg、抗HBe、抗HBc阳性组之间。HBsAg、HBeAg、抗HBc阳性患者前S1抗原阳性率随着HBV DNA载量的升高而增加(各组间P<0.05)。HBeAg、前S1抗原与HBV DNA三者间有很好的一致性。结论检测前S1抗原是对HBsAg、HBeAg及HBV DNA检测的重要补充。在防止乙肝漏诊、误诊及了解疾病的转归等方面都具有重要的临床意义。     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原定量与肝癌的关系探讨

目的结合HBVDNA载量、HBeAg阳性与HBeAg阴性,评价HBsAg在原发性肝癌(HCC)发生、发展中的意义。方法采用化学发光法检测306例HBV感染所致肝硬化及肝硬化合并HCC的两组患者血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物(HBVM)滴度,采用荧光定量PCR技术检测患者血清HBVDNA载量。结果肝硬化组:血清HBsAg滴度≥250IU/ml者占67.5%;HBeAg阳性者占23.8%;HBeAg阴性者占76.2%;HBVDNA≥104copies/ml者占79.5%。肝硬化合并HCC组:血清HBsAg滴度≥250IU/ml者占81.9%;HBeAg阳性者占38.1%;HBeAg阴性者占61.9%;HBVDNA≥104copies/ml者占61.3%。两组中HBsAg≥250IU/ml与HBVDNA≥104copies/ml病例比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在HBV感染所致肝硬化患者中,长期高滴度状态的HBsAg在评价肝硬化发展为HCC中同样起到预警信号的作用。     

乙型肝炎病毒载量与患者血清标志物及病情的关系

目的：回顾性分析乙型肝炎患者HBV载量与其血清标志物及病情之间的关系。方法：选取乙型肝炎患者814例作为研究对象，其中急性肝炎75例，慢性肝炎558例，重型肝炎181例，HBV载量采用实时荧光定量PCR（RTFQ-PCR）检测。血清HBV标志物的检测采用ELISA法。结果：在HBeAg阳性模式中，HBV DNA载量为阳性者占95．9％（372／388），其中〉10^7 Copies／ml者占67．3％（261／388），显著高于其他各种模式（P〈0．01）。在抗-HBe阳性模式中，HBV DNA载量为阳性者占43．2％（126／292），其中〉10^7Copies／ml者占11．3％（33／292）。在HBsAg阴性模式中，15例HBV DNA载量阳性，占22．7％（15／66）。慢性乙型肝炎轻、中、重度3组患者间HBV DNA载量差异无显著性意义（P〉0．05）；重型乙型肝炎患者中，HBVDNA载量〉10^7Copies／ml者占20．4％（37／181），明显低于慢性肝炎患者（48．1％，268／558）（P〈0．01）。结论：部分HBeAg发生血清转换的患者可能是HBV基因变异所致，其HBV DNA仍可呈现高水平复制，因此血清标志物指标需结合病毒载量一起分析才能得出更可靠的结论。急性乙型肝炎恢复期时，HBsAg消失后，HBV DNA仍可持续存在一段时间，因此需进一步随访监测。HBV复制活跃不一定是导致重型肝炎发生的原因，HBV DNA载量与患者病情严重程度之间并不呈明确的相关性。     

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。     

Hepatitis B virus DNA during pregnancy and post partum: aspects on vertical transmission

Little is known about how pregnancy influences viremia levels in women with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. In this study, we first retrospectively analysed changes in HBV DNA levels during and after 55 pregnancies in HBsAg-positive women, of whom 9 were HBeAg-positive. Secondly, HBV DNA levels in 3 HBeAg-positive mothers whose babies became chronic HBV carriers, were compared with levels in 18 mothers whose babies were not infected by HBV. We found that HBV DNA ranged from 10(8.1) to 10(9.5) copies/mL in HBeAg-positive, and from undetectable (< 100) to 10(6.8) copies/mL in HBeAg-negative mothers. HBV DNA increased by a mean of 0.4 log late in pregnancy or early post partum; in 4 out of 16 HBeAg negative mothers by > 1 log during pregnancy. Post partum ALT increased in both HBeAg-positive and negative women. HBV DNA was 10(9.4)-10(10.4) copies/mL in 3 HBeAg-positive mothers whose babies were, as compared to < 100-10(10.4) copies/mL in 18 whose babies were not, vertically infected. Although the majority of HBeAg-negative women had low and relatively stable HBV DNA during pregnancy, viremia was also relatively high in some HBeAg-negative mothers, and both viremia and ALT increased significantly late in pregnancy or shortly after delivery. Vertical transmission was only seen in HBeAg-positive mothers with very high levels of viremia. The value of measuring HBV DNA in the pregnant woman to modify immunoprophylaxis to her infant needs further study.     

HBeAg阴性与阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者临床和病毒学特点分析

目的:回顾性分析HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者在HBV DNA载量、肝功能及肝脏组织病理学方面的特点。方法:对60例CHB患者的临床资料,包括HBV DNA载量、肝功能及肝组织病理学检查结果进行回顾性分析。结果:60例患者中HBeAg阴性24例,占40.0%(24/60),平均年龄(48.3±7.7)岁;HBeAg阳性36例,占60.0%(36/60),平均年龄(27.7±9.1)岁,两者在平均年龄之间比较,差异有显著性意义(t=13.4,P<0.001)。HBeAg阴性与阳性患者的HBV DNA载量分别为(5.87±0.66)log拷贝/ml和(7.37±0.50)log拷贝/ml,两者之间比较,差异有显著性意义(t=13.6,P<0.001);ALT分别为(115.95±33.6)U/L和(172.2±84.20)U/L,两者之间比较,差异有显著性意义(t=4.81,P<0.001)。HBeAg阴性患者的肝组织炎症活动度分级(G)及纤维化分期(S)与HBeAg阳性者之间比较,差异无统计学意义(χ2值分别为2.53及1.27,P值分别为0.11及0.25)。结论:HBeAg阴性CHB患者的平均年龄高于HBeAg阳性者,HBV DNA载量及ALT值低于HBeAg阳性者,但HBeAg阴性CHB患者的肝脏组织病理学改变与HBeAg阳性者无差异。     

Levels of viraemia in subjects with serological markers of past or chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Subjects with serological markers for a past HBV infection may still have HBV DNA in their serum, but the levels of viraemia in such cases are not known. In the present study, of 63 consecutive HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive serum samples with or without anti-HBs, 20 were HBV DNA-positive as analysed by a highly sensitive quantitative PCR, the Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor test. However, all of these 20 samples had viraemia levels below 1000 copies/ml, compared with median viraemia levels of 10(8.6) and 10(4.3) copies/ml, respectively, in 98 HBeAg-positive and 124 HBeAg-negative HBsAg carriers. There was no difference in viraemia between subjects with anti-HBc alone compared with both anti-HBs and anti-HBc, nor between those with or without hepatitis C virus antibodies. The findings indicate that HBsAg-negative subjects may retain a low infectivity. Their risk for progressive liver damage is probably low, but this deserves further study.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者HBVDNA载量与肝组织炎症及纤维化程度的相关性分析

目的研究慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者血清HBV DNA载量与肝组织炎症及纤维化程度间的相关性。方法将169例CHB患者根据血清HBeAg分为HBeAg阳性组(110例)和HBeAg阴性组(59例),回顾性分析血清HBV DNA载量与肝组织病理炎症分级、纤维化分期之间关系。结果 HBeAg阳性组与HBeAg阴性组血清HBV DNA载量分别为(6.9±1.3)log10拷贝/ml和(4.7±1.8)log10拷贝/ml,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.024)。HBeAg阳性组患者肝组织炎症活动度G1组为9例、G2组为80例、G3~4组为21例,其血清HBV DNA载量分别为(5.7±1.4)log10拷贝/ml、(6.4±1.8)log10拷贝/ml、(7.2±1.1)log10拷贝/ml,3组患者血清HBV DNA载量比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.069)。肝组织纤维化程度S1组为28例、S2组为50例、S3~4组为32例,其血清HBV DNA载量分别为(6.9±1.1)log10拷贝/ml、(6.9±1.4)log10拷贝/ml、(6.8±4.2)log10拷贝/ml,3组患者血清HBV DNA载量比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.079)。HBeAg阴性组患者肝组织炎症活动度G1组为6例、G2组为19例、G3~4组为34例,其血清HBV DNA载量分别为(2.2±1.9)log10拷贝/ml、(4.9±1.5)log10拷贝/ml、(5.4±1.8)log10拷贝/ml,3组患者血清HBV DNA载量比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.014);肝组织纤维化程度S1组为12例、S2组为30例、S3~4组为17例,其血清HBV DNA载量分别为(2.6±4.1)log10拷贝/ml、(5.3±1.3)log10拷贝/ml、(5.6±1.7)log10拷贝/ml,3组血清HBV DNA载量比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.026)。结论 HBeAg阳性CHB患者血清HBV DNA载量与肝组织炎症及纤维化程度无显著相关。HBeAg阴性CHB患者血清HBV DNA载量较高者,其肝组织炎症及纤维化程度较高。     

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.     

Prolonged antiviral therapy for hepatitis B virus-infected health care workers: a feasible option to prevent work restriction without jeopardizing patient safety

To prevent transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from health care workers (HCWs) to patients, highly viraemic HCWs are often advised to restrict performing exposure prone procedures (EPPs). To prevent loss of highly qualified medical personnel and simultaneously minimize transmission risk to patients, we offered highly viraemic HCWs antiviral therapy and evaluated the effects of this strategy. Eighteen chronic HBV-infected HCWs have been monitored every 3-6 months for a median period of 5.6 years (range 1.1-12.5 years). Antiviral therapy was offered if HBV DNA was above 10(5) copies/mL and EPPs were performed or active liver disease was present. Median HBV DNA levels, the percentage of days with HBV DNA above 10(3), 10(4) and 10(5) copies/mL, and reduction of HBV DNA during antiviral treatment have been analysed for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative HCWs separately. Prolonged viral suppression was achieved in both HBeAg-positive, as well as HBeAg-negative HCWs. In HBeAg-negative HCWs treatment with interferon or lamivudine maintained HBV DNA levels below 10(5) copies/mL. For HBeAg-positive HCWs continuous treatment with tenofovir or entecavir was essential for reaching low viraemia persistently. In 2004, median HBV DNA levels in both HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive HCWs were below 10(3) copies/mL and all HCWs executed their professional work full-range. For both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative HCWs, antiviral treatment is effective in persistent suppression of virus levels below 10(5) copies/mL. This observation supports antiviral therapy as a viable management option instead of work restriction, with the provision of regular expert monitoring including quantification of HBV DNA.     

Quantitative serum HBV DNA levels during different stages of chronic hepatitis B infection

The goals of this retrospective study were to determine whether there is a threshold hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA value associated with spontaneous or antiviral therapy-related hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) clearance. We also investigated whether there is an HBV DNA value that can be used for differentiating inactive carriers from patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. HBV DNA levels in sequential serum samples of 165 Chinese patients with different stages of chronic HBV infection were quantified by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. Our results showed that almost all of the patients (89%) who remained HBeAg-positive had HBV DNA levels that were persistently above 10(5) copies/mL. Serum HBV DNA levels decreased by a mean of 3 log(10) in patients with HBeAg loss, but 51% had levels above 10(5) copies/mL at the time HBeAg first became undetectable. Mean serum HBV DNA levels were significantly lower in HBeAg-negative patients. HBV DNA value above 10(5) copies/mL would exclude all inactive carriers, but 45% of patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis would also be excluded if testing were only performed at presentation and 30% would be excluded if testing were performed on 3 occasions. In conclusion, serum HBV DNA levels decreased significantly in patients with HBeAg loss, but there was no threshold HBV DNA level associated with HBeAg clearance. Given the fluctuating course of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis, it is not possible to define a single cutoff HBV DNA value for differentiating inactive carriers from patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis.     

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.