The value of quantitative detection of HBV-DNA amplified by PCR in the study of hepatitis B infection.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of quantifying HBV-DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction in chronic hepatitis B infection.


METHODS
Serum samples were obtained from 32 asymptomatic HBV carriers and 99 chronic hepatitis B patients (62 positive for anti-HBe and 37 positive for HBeAg). In addition, serial serum samples were analyzed from 15 HBeAg positive patients undergoing antiviral therapy and 17 anti-HBe positive patients with precore mutation. HBV-DNA quantification was carried out using an enzyme immunoassay with an HBV-DNA plasma standard.


RESULTS
The digoxigenin-incorporated polymerase chain reaction method detected HBV-DNA in 34.3% of the asymptomatic HBV carriers with a median HBV-DNA concentration of about 0.18 x 10(5) mol/ml (range 0.08-0.4), in 87% of the anti-HBe positive chronic hepatitis cases with a range of 0.2 to > 2 x 10(5) mol/ml and in 100% of the HBeAg positive patients, with a value in all cases over 2 x 10(5) mol/ml. We observed that after treatment, HBV-DNA tested negative in only two of the eight HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis patients who seroconverted to anti-HBe, and was positive in the seven remaining, with a median HBV-DNA value of about 0.2 x 10(5) mol/ml (0.09-0.4). In the precore mutants HBV-DNA values ranged from 0.2 to > 2 x 10(5) mol/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Polymerase chain reaction HBV-DNA quantification is a sensitive method for managing chronic hepatitis B patients, especially those with low viremia, and may be a valuable tool for evaluating the efficacy of antiviral therapy.
Jardi
R
R
Department of Biochemistry, Hospital Universitario Valle Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain.
Buti
M
M
Rodriguez-Frias
F
F
Cortina
M
M
Esteban
R
R
Guardia
J
J
Pascual
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase