Serum hepatitis B surface antigen concentration correlates with HBV DNA level in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Tung Hung Su, Ching Sheng Hsu, Chi Ling Chen, Chen Hua Liu, Yi Wen Huang, Tai Chung Tseng, Chun Jen Liu, Pei Jer Chen, Ming Yang Lai, Ding Shinn Chen, Jia Horng Kao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Serum HBV DNA level is crucial in the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB); however, the assay is expensive and cannot be used widely. Therefore, we explored the possibility of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification as a surrogate marker for HBV DNA level in CHB patients. Methods: A total of 289 CHB patients were enrolled, 251 were evaluated at baseline and 75 of them were also evaluated during anti-HBV treatment. Another 38 on-treatment patients were used for validation. Serum HBsAg titre was quantified by an immunoassay and HBV DNA level by a PCR-based method. Baseline and on-treatment data were analysed. Results: In parallel to log10 HBV DNA, the log10 HBsAg was high in both immune tolerance and immune clearance phases, and significantly decreased in the inactive carrier state and was again increased in the reactivation phase of the CHB infection. There was a positive correlation between log10 HBsAg and log10 HBV DNA, which was greater in patients with chronic hepatitis, hepatitis B e antigen- positivity, greater alanine aminotransferase or HBsAg levels at baseline and during pegylated interferon treatment. Log10 HBsAg could predict log10 HBV DNA independently. An HBsAg titre of >900 IU/ml at baseline or >1,500 IU/ml within the first year of treatment could predict an HBV DNA level of >20,000 IU/ml, especially in subgroups of chronic hepatitis with alanine aminotransferase levels >40 IU/l. The dynamics of HBsAg might also predict serial HBV DNA changes. In the validation group, 64% of patients with on-treatment HBV DNA levels >20,000 IU/ml could be correctly predicted. Conclusions: Serum HBsAg concentration might serve as a surrogate marker of HBV DNA level in CHB patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1133-1139
Number of pages7
JournalAntiviral Therapy
Volume15
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Serum hepatitis B surface antigen concentration correlates with HBV DNA level in patients with chronic hepatitis B'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this