Analysis of hepatitis B virus DNA, liver disease and influence of antibody to hepatitis C virus in anti-HBe chronic carriers.
Hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) in serum was studied in 67 anti-HBe patients using dot-blot hybridization, a modified technique and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients had abnormal aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Serum HBV-DNA was detected in 14/67 cases by dot-blot and in 39/67 (DNA probe) and 45/67 (RNA probe) using the modified technique. The RNA probe was more sensitive than the DNA probe when they were compared, using serial dilutions of HBV-DNA of known concentration (0.1 pg vs 1 pg, respectively). HBV-DNA was found by PCR in 57/67 patients. Ten patients were negative to serum HBV-DNA. The ALT level was significantly higher in patients with serum HBV-DNA by dot-blot as compared to those who had serum HBV-DNA by the modified technique and PCR. With respect to the presence of anti-HCV, 6/67 had anti-HCV confirmed by RIBA test. These 6 patients had serum HBV-DNA. The route of acquisition of HBV infection in anti-HCV positive patients was by parenteral exposure in 67% of the cases and 15% in HCV negative (p less than 0.05). All patients were negative to nonorganic specific autoantibodies. In summary, most of the anti-HBe patients (85%) had viral replication. HCV superinfection plays a minor role in the activity of liver disease.
Moraleda
G
G
Department of Gastroenterology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
Bartolomé
J
J
Molina
J
J
Castillo
I
I
Carreño
V
V
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015347:RNA Probes; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D015347:RNA Probes