HВcorAg expression in HВeАg-negative hepatitis: correlation to clinical and histological activity and HВsAg-status

Abstract

Aim of investigation. Assessment of HВcorAg expression features and interrelations of necrotic - inflammatory process with the level and distribution of HBcorAg in hepatocytes in patients with HBeAgnegative AbHBe-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) having different HBsAg-status.Material and methods. Overall 32 patients HBeAg (–) AbHBe (+) CHB were studied: 13 – with HВsAg and 19 – without HВsAg. HBcorAg was estimated in liver tissue by immunehistochemical method («Novocastra» UK tests-systems). Routine laboratory tests, Knodell histological activity index and modified index, Metavir fibrosis score were assessed.Results. In 25 patients (78,1%) cytoplasmic and nuclear HBcorAg expression and in 7 (21,9%) – only cytoplasmic HBcorAg expression was revealed. Cytoplasmic HВcorAg level was significantly (9-fold) higher, than that in nucleus. Cytoplasmic HBcorAg distribution was distinct: 20 patients (62,5%) had peripheral juxtamembrane and 12 (37,5%) – diffuse expression. The severity of necrotic and inflammatory syndrome according to laboratory and histological data was higher at cytoplasmatic expression of nuclear protein (NP), than at nucleocytoplasmic, and was also higher at peripheral juxtamembrane NP expression, than at diffuse.Conclusions. НBcorAg expression did not depend on HВsAg-status, but in HВsAg-negative patients grade of parenchymatous damage, premalignant hepatocyte changes i.e. micro- and macrocellular dysplasia was higher, than in HВsAg-positive patients.

Keywords

• hвeag-negative hepatitis b
• hвsagstatus
• hвcorag
• immunehistochemical study
• precore/core-mutation
• pres/s-mutation
• necrotic and inflammatory syndrome