title: Anti-HBc positivity was associated with histological cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: INTRODUCTION. In patients with chronic hepatitis C it is still debated whether previous exposure to the hepatitis B virus, diagnosed from the presence of the anti-HBc antibody, is linked to a greater risk of severe hepatitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the presence of anti-HBc antibodies is associated with cirrhosis in patients with HBsAg-negative chronic hepatitis C. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Two hundred twenty-two consecutive HBsAg-negative patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis were enrolled at their first liver biopsy. Ishak's scoring system was used to grade necroinflammation and fibrosis and the patients with stage 5 or 6 were considered as having histological cirrhosis. RESULTS. Patients with histological cirrhosis had a higher mean age, AST, ALT, a lower platelet count and prothrombin activity compared to those with milder fibrosis. The presence of anti-HBc was identified in 21 (63.6%) of the 33 patients with fibrosis score 5 or 6 and in 56 (29.6%; p < 0.001) of the 189 with score ≤ 4. Patients with cirrhosis had a significantly higher grading than those without cirrhosis (median = 8, IQR 6-11 vs. Median = 6, IQR = 4-8, respectively, p < 0.001). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex and anti-HBc positivity were independent predictors of histological cirrhosis. CONCLUSION. Our data support the idea that in patients with chronic hepatitis C the presence in serum of anti-HBc is associated with histological cirrhosis and is therefore a marker of clinical value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via S. Pansini, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasquale
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via S. Pansini, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio Riccardo
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Buonomo
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicolina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Capoluongo
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Science, University of Naples Federico II, via S. Pansini, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Armiento
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via S. Pansini, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borgia
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Evangelista
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sagnelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010976:Platelet Count; D011516:Prothrombin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011516:Prothrombin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase