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- Title
Hepatitis B surface antigen level complements viral load in predicting viral reactivation in spontaneous HBeAg seroconverters.
- Authors
Tseng, Tai‐Chung; Liu, Chun‐Jen; Yang, Wan‐Ting; Chen, Chi‐Ling; Yang, Hung‐Chih; Su, Tung‐Hung; Wang, Chia‐Chi; Kuo, Stephanie Fang‐Tzu; Liu, Chen‐Hua; Chen, Pei‐Jer; Chen, Ding‐Shinn; Kao, Jia‐Horng
- Abstract
Background and Aims The level of hepatitis B surface antigen ( HBsAg) has been shown to complement hepatitis B virus ( HBV)- DNA level in predicting disease progression in hepatitis B e antigen ( HBeAg)-negative patients, especially those with low viral loads. Whether this finding could be seen in spontaneous HBeAg seroconverters remains unclear. Methods A retrospective cohort of 390 Taiwanese spontaneous HBeAg seroconverters with a mean follow-up period of 7.4 years was enrolled. The relationships between HBV- DNA/ HBsAg levels and HBeAg-negative hepatitis/active viral replication ( HBV- DNA level ≥ 2000 IU/mL) were investigated. Results In the overall cohort, serum HBV- DNA level served as a better predictor for HBeAg-negative hepatitis compared with HBsAg level. However, in those with HBV- DNA level < 2000 IU/mL, a higher HBsAg level was associated with a higher risk of HBeAg-negative hepatitis ( P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis showed the hazard ratio of HBsAg level ≥ 1000 IU/mL versus < 1000 IU/mL was 4.1 (95% confidence interval: 1.3-13.6). When using the end-point of active viral replication, HBsAg ≥ 1000 IU/mL remained as an independent risk factor, with a hazard ratio of 2.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.1-5.9). Conclusions In spontaneous HBeAg seroconverters with HBV- DNA level < 2000 IU/mL, HBsAg level ≥ 1000 IU/mL is associated with increased risks of HBeAg-negative hepatitis and active viral replication. Combining HBV- DNA < 2000 IU/mL and HBsAg level < 1000 IU/mL may be used to define minimal viral activity.
- Subjects
CHRONIC hepatitis B; HEPATITIS B; CELL surface antigens; LIVER diseases; VIRAL replication; DISEASE progression; SEROCONVERSION
- Publication
Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2014, Vol 29, Issue 6, p1242
- ISSN
0815-9319
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/jgh.12502