Persistence of HBV-DNA in children with chronic hepatitis B who seroconverted to anti-HBs antibodies after interferon-alpha therapy: correlation with specific IgG subclass responses to HBsAg.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

We examined the persistence of HBV-DNA in sera collected 4-10 years after IFN-alpha therapy from patients with chronic hepatitis B who had seroconverted to anti-HBs antibodies. We also wanted to assess whether any association exists between HBV-DNA status and the IgG anti-HBs subclass responses.

METHODS:

Sera were obtained from 38 patients and the following parameters were determined in each of them: (1) serological markers of HBV; (2) concentrations of IgM, IgG, IgA; (3) total IgG subclasses. HBV-DNA and IgG anti-HBs subclasses were determined in anti-HBs positive sera.

RESULTS:

Four to 10 years after therapy, anti-HBs were found in 37 of 38 patients (GMT: 775IU/L). In 13 of them (35.1%) free and/or bound HBV-DNA was present in sera. Significant differences in the profiles of IgG anti-HBs were observed when the HBV-DNA status was considered. Patients with undetectable HBV-DNA responded mainly with IgG1 and/or IgG3, while in the HBV-DNA-positive group, a high contribution of IgG4 was found.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study showed that HBV-DNA may persist for a long time after IFN-alpha therapy despite the appearance of anti-HBs antibodies. The monitoring of specific IgG subclasses may be of predictive value for HBV-DNA persistence.

• Authors: Hanna Gregorek, Katarzyna Dzierzanowska-Fangrat, Marek Woynarowski, Paulina Jóźwiak, Ewa Witkowska-Vogtt, Jerzy Socha, Małgorzata Syczewska, Kazimierz Madaliński
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 42 Issue 4 Pg. 486-90 (Apr 2005) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15763334 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigen-Antibody Complex
• Antiviral Agents
• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Immunoglobulin G
• Interferon-alpha

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antigen-Antibody Complex (blood)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• DNA, Viral (blood)
• Female
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (blood)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (immunology)
• Hepatitis B virus (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (drug therapy, immunology, virology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Male