title: [Detection of total and covalently closed circular HBV DNA in liver transplant recipients due to HBV-associated liver diseases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) total DNA and covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA in liver transplant recipients due to HBV-associated liver diseases and detemaine their clinical significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) due to HBV-associated liver diseases were enrolled for the study. Levels of HBV total and ccc DNA in plasma, liver and PBMCs were measured by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ratio of male:female participants was 48:12. The mean age was 52.98+/-9.40 years old, and the median duration post-LT was 72 (25-128) months. 59 of the patients had no detectable HBV DNA in plasma.Four patients had detectable levels of total HBV DNA in PBMCs, but no detectable ccc DNA. Five patients had detectable levels of total HBV DNA in liver, and two of those also had detectable levels of ccc DNA. One patients who had detectable HBV DNA in PBMCs suffered HBV recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The liver transplant recipients with detectable levels of HBV total and ccc DNA in PBMCs and liver should be considered high risk for HBV recurrence following LT.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department Center, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Binwei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Shichun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xueen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D004270:DNA, Circular; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D004270:DNA, Circular; D004279:DNA, Viral