Changes of serum HBV-DNA in relation to serum transaminase level during acute exacerbation in patients with chronic type B hepatitis.
To examine the relationship between changes of serum hepatitis B virus-dexoyribonucleic acid (HBV-DNA) and transaminase levels during acute exacerbation of chronic type B hepatitis, serial serum specimens from 74 patients were assayed for HBV-DNA by slot blot hybridization with 32P-labeled cloned HBV-DNA as probe. Of these patients, serial serum specimens were obtained with an interval of 2-7 days in 22 patients (Group I), 8-14 days in 30 patients (Group II) and 15-30 days in 22 patients (Group III). The peak of serum HBV-DNA was reached shortly before or simultaneously with the maximum elevation of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) in most (greater than 90%) of the acute exacerbations. In contrast, the peak of serum ALT was reached before maximum elevation of serum HBV-DNA in only 13.6% of Group I, 3.3% of Group II and 13.6% of Group III (9.5% of whole series). The results suggest that the increase of serum HBV-DNA is an event preceding, rather than the result of, hepatocytolysis in most of the acute exacerbations occurring in patients with chronic type B hepatitis.
Department of Biochemistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Y F
YF
Liaw
C C
CC
Pao
C M
CM
Chu
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006801:Humans
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase