title: [Significance of investigating viral DNA in serum from patients with hepatitis B].
abstract: The DNA-HBV was investigated in 109 serum samples from 75 patients with different forms of infection with the HB virus, using an RIA hybridization technique (Genostic-Abott). DNA-HBV was present in 12 of 18 cases of acute hepatitis, 1 of 3 patients with fulminant disease, 11 of 14 patients with chronic hepatitis and/or cirrhosis, 2 of 10 patients with hepatoma and 6 of 30 asymptomatic chronic carriers. Presence of DNA-HBV beyond 60 days in 7 patients with acute hepatitis established the chronic state. The highest levels were found in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis (mean 41 +/- 11 pg/ml) and the lowest in chronic carriers and patients with hepatoma. High levels of DNA-HBV denote persistent viral replication and would support antiviral treatment. Thus, investigation of DNA-HBV has diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications in patients with Hepatitis B.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Gastroenterología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brahm
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hurtado
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Latorre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Velasco
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000382:microbiology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral
vernacular_title: Importancia de la investigacion del DNA del virus de la hepatitis B en el suero.