Host genetic variants and hepatitis B virologic features in HBeAg-negative hepatitis B carriers with long-term biochemical remission.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

A significant portion of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients have persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels (PNALT). We thus investigated host genetic variants and virological features in HBeAg-negative hepatitis B carriers.

METHODS:

Baseline clinical and virological features of 133 HBeAg-negative hepatitis B carriers (77 with PNALT and 56 with chronic hepatitis activity) with follow-up for more than 5 years were investigated. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within or around human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DPA1, HLA-DPB1, and interleukin (IL) 28B loci were genotyped.

RESULTS:

The genotype frequencies of these SNPs were comparable between hepatitis B carriers with PNALT and those with chronic hepatitis. Compared with hepatitis B carriers with PNALT, those with chronic hepatitis had significantly higher baseline serum HBV-DNA levels (4.96 vs. 4.04 log10 IU/ml, P = 0.001). Baseline serum HBV-DNA level > 2000 IU/ml (OR, 8.42; 95% CI, 2.74-25.90, P < 0.001) were the only independent factor associated with chronic hepatitis activity. Changes of serum HBV-DNA in 30 hepatitis B carriers with PNALT had showed a significant reduction of viral load from baseline to last visit (mean difference of paired HBV-DNA levels: -0.78 log10 IU/ml, 95% CI: -1.57 to -0.013, P = 0.047). In contrast, no significant reduction of viral load was found in 28 patients with chronic hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate that lower baseline serum HBV-DNA level and viral load reduction over time are associated with long-term biochemical remission in HBeAg-negative hepatitis B carriers.

• Authors: Chih-Lin Lin, Tai-Chung Tseng, Tung-Hung Su, Chun-Jen Liu, Pei-Jer Chen, Ming-Yang Lai, Ding-Shinn Chen, Jia-Horng Kao
• Journal: Hepatology international (Hepatol Int) Vol. 6 Issue 3 Pg. 598-605 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 1936-0533 [Print] United States
• PMID: 21779934 (Publication Type: Journal Article)