Importance of Detection of HBV-DNA in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Abstract

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is an important marker of viral replication, infectivity and ongoing liver injury in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Furthermore HBV-DNA detection is crucial step in the diagnosis of HBV infection in seronegative cases: for detection of viraemia with mutant virus, for deciding about starting treatment and for monitoring the efficacy of treatment of HBV infection.The aim of this study was to detect of importance of HBV-DNA in HBeAg/anti-HBe existence. Totally 92 serum samples were screened for the presence of HBV-DNA with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for HBeAg/anti-HBe with enzymeimmunassay (EIA). HBV-DNA was ≥ 105 genom copies/mL in 32 (34.7%) and ≤ 104 genom copies/mL in 60 (65.2%) of 92 serum samples. Of 32 samples, 28 (87.5%) were HBeAg positive/anti-HBe negative, 4 (12.5%) were HBeAg negative/anti-HBe negative. Of 60 samples, 54 (90%) were HBeAg negative/anti-HBe positive, 6 (10%) were HBeAg positive/anti-HBe negative. Presence or absence of HBeAg/anti-HBe may not necessarily reflect the serum HBV-DNA, particularly in persistent infection. Consequently, it has been recommended that HBV-DNA with HBeAg/anti-HBe should be detected in chronic HBV infection.

Keywords

• Hepatitis B
• Chronic
• DNA
• Viral
• Diagnosis