Importance of showing HBsAg and HBcAg positivity in the liver for better aetiological definition of chronic liver disease.
Serum and tissue hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were compared in 35 alcoholic and 23 non-alcoholic subjects affected by chronic liver disease. Seventeen point one per cent of alcoholic and 21.7% of non-alcoholic subjects had HBV tissue markers, but not serum markers, for this virus. It is therefore concluded that showing the presence of HBV tissue markers permits a better aetiological definition of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative chronic liver disease, both in alcoholic and non-alcoholic subjects.
D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens