Abstract | OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic significance of the absence of serum HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after spontaneous HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion and concurrent or subsequent biochemical remission. METHODS: We prospectively investigated the reactivation rates in 28 chronic hepatitis B patients according to the positive or negative serum HBV DNA test by PCR. The sera drawn at a mean period of 4.4 months after normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analyzed by PCR-Southern blot hybridization to detect HBV DNA, and then the patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (n = 14) or absence (n = 14) of HBV DNA in the sera. RESULTS: The cumulative reactivation rates in patients with HBV DNA in sera were 43%, 57%, 57%, 57% and 57% at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year after normalization of ALT, respectively, and those in patients without demonstrable HBV DNA were 50%, 66%, 74%, 74% and 83%, respectively; thus, the difference in the cumulative reactivation rates between patients with and without serum HBV DNA was not statistically significant (p = 0.79), and irrespective of the status of HBV DNA in sera by PCR, reactivations occurred very rarely after 2 years of a sustained remission. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the seroconversion to anti-HBe accompanied by disappearance of serum HBV DNA even by PCR does not necessarily suggest a sustained remission of chronic hepatitis B.
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Authors | H S Lee, J H Yoon, C Y Kim |
Journal | The Korean journal of internal medicine
(Korean J Intern Med)
Vol. 10
Issue 2
Pg. 103-7
(Jul 1995)
ISSN: 1226-3303 [Print] Korea (South) |
PMID | 7495767
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- DNA, Viral
- Hepatitis B Antibodies
- Hepatitis B e Antigens
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Topics |
- Adult
- Chronic Disease
- DNA, Viral
(blood)
- Female
- Hepatitis B
(immunology, virology)
- Hepatitis B Antibodies
(blood)
- Hepatitis B e Antigens
(immunology)
- Hepatitis B virus
(genetics)
- Humans
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Prospective Studies
- Virus Activation
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