title: Negative correlation between viral load and HBsAg levels in chronic HBV-infected patients.
abstract: The objective of this study is to reveal the relationship between viral load (as HBV DNA) and HBsAg levels. Ninety-two chronically HBV-infected patients were included in the study. The patients were divided in two different groups: the cirrhotic group (n = 32) and the non-cirrhotic group (n = 60). The correlation between study groups was also examined with regard to HBeAg status. Hepatitis B viral markers (HBsAg, HBeAg, Anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HBe) and HBV viral load of the patients were measured. A significant negative correlation between HBV DNA and HBsAg levels was found in the non-cirrhotic group (p < 0.01). The anti-HBc level was higher in the non-cirrhotic group than in the cirrhotic group (p < 0.016). The viral load was significantly higher in HBeAg (+) patients in comparison with HBeAg (-) cases (p < 0.0001). The HBsAg level was low in HBeAg (+) patients, whereas it was higher in HBeAg (-) cases (p < 0.001). In conclusion, a significant negative correlation between viral load and HBsAg levels was detected in the non-cirrhotic chronically HBV-infected group. Therefore, concomitantly low HBsAg and HBV DNA levels may indicate a better prognosis compared to high HBsAg and low HBV DNA levels.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey. burhanozdil@gmail.com
authors: Burhan
authors: B
authors: Ozdil
authors: Arif M
authors: AM
authors: Cosar
authors: Hikmet
authors: H
authors: Akkiz
authors: Macit U
authors: MU
authors: Sandikci
authors: Can
authors: C
authors: Kece
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens