Abstract | BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a potentially life-threatening liver infection which may progress to liver failure and cirrhosis. Intrahepatic expression patterns of viral antigens detected by immunohistochemistry may have prognostic implications in disease process. AIM: MATERIALS AND METHODS: RESULTS: The presence of nuclear expression of HBcAg did not show any correlations with ALT levels, HAI and fibrosis score. When the groups were categorized according to the HBeAg status, nuclear HBcAg expression was found to be high in HBeAg positive patients. However, HBcAg nuclear expression showed significant correlations with HBV DNA levels and fibrosis scores in HBeAg negative but not HBeAg positive patients. HBV DNA levels were also significantly associated with HAI and fibrosis scores in HBeAg negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences found between HBeAg positive and negative patients suggest that HBeAg negative disease is different from HBeAg positive disease, and also point outs that in HBeAg negative disease, patients with nuclear HBcAg expression and increased levels of HBV DNA levels are at a higher risk of developing progressive liver disease.
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Authors | Aysegul Sari, Yelda Dere, Betul Pakoz, Aylin Calli, Belkis Unal, Mine Tunakan |
Journal | Indian journal of pathology & microbiology
(Indian J Pathol Microbiol)
2011 Apr-Jun
Vol. 54
Issue 2
Pg. 355-8
ISSN: 0974-5130 [Electronic] India |
PMID | 21623089
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- DNA, Viral
- Hepatitis B Core Antigens
- Hepatitis B e Antigens
- Alanine Transaminase
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Alanine Transaminase
(blood)
- Biopsy
- DNA, Viral
(blood)
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Hepatitis B Core Antigens
(biosynthesis)
- Hepatitis B e Antigens
(blood)
- Hepatitis B, Chronic
(pathology, virology)
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Liver
(pathology)
- Liver Cirrhosis
(pathology)
- Male
- Microscopy
- Middle Aged
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