| Abstract: | 90 blood plasma samples from patients with suspected chronic viral hepatitis B (CVHB) were analyzed by real-time polymerized chain reaction (PCR). The findings were compared with the results obtained by 2 PCR electrophoresis-based test-systems; the sensitivity limit for the quantification of DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was determined; in the present case, the limit corresponded to 30 replications of HBV DNA to reaction (600 GE/ml). The positive result of real-time PCR was registered in 53.3% of cases. The quantity of HBV DNA replications in blood plasma samples varied from 30 to 3.9 x 10(6) per reaction (600-7.8 x 10(7) GE/ml). Serological profiles were analyzed in 18 patients with the verified diagnosis of CVHB. HBV DNA was detected in blood of 65% of HBsAg(+)-patients. The markers of HBeAg replication were noted in 35.5% of patients; it is noteworthy, that HBeAg(+)-samples were characterized by a higher level of viral loads (> or = 10(6) GE/ml) versus HBeAg(-)-samples (> or = 6 x 10(3) GE/ml). An analysis of blood-plasma samples dynamically obtained from one patient with chronic renal insufficiency and CVHB showed a decreased level of viral load from 1.7 x 10(7) GE/ml to a negative finding of real-time PCR registered after a therapy course by zeffix. Hence, the automated and standardized real-time PCR, when used at a multi-field patient-care facility, ensures a better diagnosis of viral hepatitis B. |
