[Detection of Intrahepatic HBV DNA in HBsAg-negative liver diseases].
OBJECTIVE
Occult HBV infection is characterized by the presence of HBV infection with undetectable HBsAg. This study was carried out to find out the frequency of HBV infection in HBsAg- negative patients.


METHODS
Fifty-six HBsAg-negative patients including 17 anti-HCV positive patients were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to their serological status; group A (anti-HBc+, anti-HBs-, n=16), B (anti-HBc+, anti-HBs+, n=26), and C (anti-HBc-, anti-HBs+/-, n=14). DNA was extracted from frozen liver biopsy specimen, and HBV DNA level was measured with real-time PCR.


RESULTS
Overall frequency of detectable intrahepatic HBV DNA was 34% (19/56). The frequency was 56% (9/16) in group A, 31% (8/26) in group B and 14% (2/14) in group C (P=0.01). Intrahepatic HBV DNA levels were as follows; 2,010 +/- 6,660 copies/mg in group A, 6,180 +/- 29,530 copies/mg in group B and 350 +/- 1,220 copies/mg in group C. The frequency of occult HBV infection was not increased in anti-HCV positive patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrahepatic HBV DNA is frequently detected in anti-HBc positive, HBsAg-negative patients, although the concentration is low.
Kim
Yun Soo
YS
Department of Gastroenterology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University, Inchon, Korea. kimys@gilhospital.com
Jang
Jae Young
JY
Eun
Soo Hoon
SH
Cheon
Young Koog
YK
Kim
Young Seok
YS
Moon
Jong Ho
JH
Cho
Young Deok
YD
Jin
So-Young
SY
Shim
Chan Sup
CS
Kim
Boo Sung
BS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens