title: Detection of serum HBV-DNA by molecular hybridisation. Correlation with HBeAg/anti-HBe status, racial origin, liver histology and hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: The relationship of the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum, a measure of HBV-replication, to HBeAg/anti-HBe status has been examined. In Northern Europe, there is a strong positive correlation between the presence of HBV-DNA and HBe antigenaemia and a negative correlation with the presence of anti-HBe. These associations are less marked in patients from Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle and Far East. When HBV-DNA is present in the serum of anti-HBe carriers, it is usually associated with the presence of severe liver disease or carcinoma. Forty percent of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had evidence of continuing HBV replication.
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005006:Ethnicity; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens