HBV DNA in the Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Chronic HBV Infected Individuals Who Became HBsAg-Serocleared or Seroconverted

摘要

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and liver diseases. In the event of seroclearanceor seroconversion, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) may be cleared or reduced to levels below the detection limit but very lowquantities of viral DNA may be detectable as occult HBV infection (OBI).Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of HBV DNA in the serum and PBMCs of individuals with HBsAgloss, with or without anti-HBs.Methods: Sixty out of 1116 patients who referred to the private clinic were selected and divided into two groups: serocleared and seroconverted. Serological markers of HBV were measured by ELISA assay and HBV DNA in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclearcell (PBMC) were measured by quantitative real time PCR.Results: A total of sixty cases (38 males, 22 females) with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled. The mean age of serocleared and seroconverted groups was 50.5 ± 13.1and 49 ± 11, respectively. Among the serocleared and seroconverted subjects, 3 and 2 becameHBsAg positive, respectively. HBV DNA was detected in the PBMCs of four out of 27 serocleared patients (14.8%) and three out of 28seroconverted (10.7%). By multivariate analysis, age, gender, duration of disease and serological situation of patients had no effectson patients’ relapse (P 0.05).Conclusions: In patients with CHB, who became HBsAg negative if the serum antibody is formed, there is a possibility of diseaserecurrence. Moreover, recurrence may be predicted considering the viral load in PBMCs.