title: Serum HBV-DNA in delta antigen positive chronic liver disease.
abstract: HBV DNA was assayed by molecular hybridization in the serum of 21 patients with HBsAg + /delta Ag + chronic liver disease (CLD). The results were compared to those in 21 HBsAg + /delta Ag - cases matched for histological diagnosis and HBeAg/anti-HBe status and to HBcAg and delta Ag detection in the liver by direct immunofluorescence. In the delta Ag + cases serum HBV DNA was either negative (17/21 or 81%) or transiently positive (4/21 or 19%) in small or trace amounts (trace to 1 +). By contrast 9 of 21 (43%) of HBsAg + delta Ag - cases were serum HBV DNA positive, 6 of them having values ranging from 2 + to 4 +. HBcAg was detected in the liver of patients with strong serum HBV DNA reactions and was absent from all serum HBV DNA negative ones. These results indicate a significant difference in the HBV replication level between delta Ag positive and negative patients with HBsAg + CLD and with comparable liver histology and HBeAg/anti-HBe status, and support the need for wider application of molecular hybridization techniques in the pathogenetic and epidemiological study of HBV infection.
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens