Persistence of free HBV DNA in body secretions and liver despite loss of serum HBV DNA after interferon-induced seroconversion.
Following interferon therapy, a chronic hepatitis B (HBV) carrier lost all serum markers of active viral replication and became anti-HBe positive but remained positive for free and replicative HBV-DNA in semen, saliva, urine, and liver four months later. At 12 months, when he also developed anti-HBs, urine and saliva analysed for free HBV-DNA were positive. Despite histological remission and loss of HBV-DNA from serum, the potential for transmission of HBV and reactivation of disease remain.
D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I