[Analysis of the DNA of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the serum and mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood in subjects with chronic infection by the HBV].
BACKGROUND
Viral replication is one of the determining factors of the natural history of infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The clinical significance of the viremia and the DNA-HBV findings in mononuclear cells was therefore analyzed.


METHODS
The epidemiologic history, liver function tests and the Knodell index were analyzed in 117 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 33 healthy HBV carriers. The DNA-HBV was studied in serum and mononuclear cells by dot-blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


RESULTS
The DNA-HBV was detected by dot-blot in 62/117 subjects with and in CHB 3/33 healthy carriers. Viremis was determined by PCR in 107/117 patients with CHB and in 22/23 healthy carriers. Both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the Knodell index were greater in the patients with positive DNA-HBV dot-blot. No significant differences were observed in the liver function tests and Knodell index with regard to the viremia detectable exclusively by PCR. In the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood, DNA-HBV was observed in 62% by dot-blot and in 95% by PCR. The presence of DNA-HBV by dot-blot in these cells was associated to greater disease activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The activity of chronic hepatitis B was correlated with the presence of high viremic levels with no direct relation being observed between low grade viremia and disease aggressivity. The finding of DNA-HBV by dot-blot in mononuclear cells was associated with a greater activity of chronic hepatitis B, with these results being in agreement with the serologic data reported.
Crespo
J
J
Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Facultad de Medicina, Santander.
Lozano
J L
JL
López-Arias
M J
MJ
Martín-Ramos
L
L
Sánchez-Antolín
G
G
Dueñas
C
C
Pons Romero
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral
Análisis del ADN del virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) en suero y células mononucleares de sangre periférica en sujetos con infección crónica por el VHB.