The aim of this study was to determine the dynamic expression profile of
hepatitis B surface antigen (
HBsAg) according to hepatic parenchyma cells' volume at different stages of
liver fibrosis during the immune clearance phase. Eighty-nine patients with
HBeAg-positive
chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the immune clearance stage were recruited for study. Each patient's serum
HBsAg levels were detected by electrochemiluminescence. The serum
HBsAg levels were apportioned according to hepatic parenchyma cells' volume at
liver fibrosis stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 and compared by ANOVA. The unapportioned serum
HBsAg levels (IU/mL) at
liver fibrosis stages 1 (227.2+/-237.7), 2 (211.0+/-131.4), 3(300.1+/-144.6), and 4 (278.7+/-148.8) were not significantly different (all comparisons, P range: 0.061 to 0.759). However, when the serum
HBsAg levels were apportioned by the same hepatic parenchyma cells' volume at
liver fibrosis stages 1 (343.9+/-359.8), 2 (336.4+/-209.5), 3 (508.7+/-245.1), and 4 (525.2+/-274.8), the levels were significantly different (all comparisons, F = 3.045 and P = 0.033; stage 1 vs. 3, P = 0.041; stage 1 vs. 4, P = 0.046; stage 2 vs. 3, P = 0.028; stage 2 vs. 4, P = 0.034). During the immune clearance phase of
chronic hepatitis B, increased
HBsAg expression is associated with increased hepatic parenchyma cells' volume and progressive
liver fibrosis stage.