Relationship between serum HBV DNA level and liver histology in HBV carriers with normal ALT in Guilan province, Iran.
BACKGROUND
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the serum HBV DNA levels in HBeAg-negative HBV patients and look for a relationship between serum HBV DNA level and liver histology.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 70 patients with positive serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and normal ALT for at least 6 months were enrolled. Quantification of HBV DNA was performed by real-time PCR. Liver biopsy specimens were performed for grading and staging of chronic hepatitis.


RESULTS
Fifty-four patients (34 males, 20 females) were included. Mean + or - SD serum HBV DNA level was 282,280.46 + or - 1,474,295 copies/ml, fibrosis (0-6) 2.37 + or - 1.263, necroinflammation (0-18) 0.33 + or - 0.476, and BMI 26.65 + or - 4.9. The mean serum HBV DNA level had significant differences between grade <4 and grade > or = 4 cases (P<0.05). The relationship between serum HBV DNA level and liver grade was confirmed by the Kendall test (P<0.05). No significant relationship between serum HBV DNA level and liver histological stage, gender, age, BMI, or HBeAg was observed in these patients (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
It is advantageous to measure serum HBV DNA level quantitatively in patients who are inactive carries of hepatitis B. If they have HBV DNA levels > or = 104 copies/ml, it will be necessary to perform a liver biopsy and apply therapy accordingly.
Mansour-Ghanaei
Fariborz
F
Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center (GLDRC), Medical Sciences, Guilan University, Iran. ghanaei@gums.ac.ir
Rafiei
Rahmatollah
R
Joukar
Farahnaz
F
Naghipour
Mohammadreza
M
Besharati
Sepiedeh
S
Aminian
Keyvan
K
Atrkar-Roushan
Zahra
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D004279:DNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase