Spontaneous clearance and reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection among male homosexuals with chronic type B hepatitis.
Abrupt increases of alanine transaminase were observed in 6 of 23 non-treated, male homosexuals with chronic hepatitis associated with hepatitis B virus. Before this occurrence, all subjects had hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and elevated DNA polymerase activity. Within 3 months, HBeAg was nondetectable in 3 subjects and elevated DNA polymerase disappeared in 4. These serologic events were not always sustained, however. In 3 subjects, reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection occurred within the subsequent 6-month period. Serologic testing for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, delta agent, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) subtype showed that episodes of clearance and reactivation were not explainable by secondary infection with these agents or infection with a different HBsAg subtype. Spontaneous clearance and reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection may commonly occur among male homosexuals with chronic type B hepatitis. These phenomena should be considered when evaluating the need for treatment or interpreting the results of investigations that use anti-viral therapy.
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase