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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
04:11

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

Progressive and sufficient decrease of hepatitis B core antibody can predict the disappearance of hepatitis B virus

M Kobyashi1, K Chayama, Y Arase

  • 1Liver Research Laboratory, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Journal of Gastroenterology
|November 4, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is rarely detectable years after hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance, especially with low hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) titers. This suggests HBV clearance is often complete, even if viral DNA is undetectable.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern.
  • Understanding viral kinetics after hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is crucial for managing chronic infection.
  • The role of hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) titer in predicting viral clearance requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between serum HBV DNA levels, time since HBsAg clearance, and HBcAb titer.
  • To assess the detectability of HBV DNA in patients with and without prior treatment.
  • To determine the long-term viral kinetics following HBsAg seroconversion.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 12 patients with HBsAg clearance.
  • Categorization into untreated (Group A) and prednisolone withdrawal therapy (Group B) groups.
  • Serum HBV DNA quantification using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • Monitoring of HBsAg and HBcAb titers over extended follow-up periods (median 86-108 months).

Main Results:

  • Serum HBV DNA became gradually undetectable after HBsAg clearance in both groups.
  • The rate of detectable HBV DNA was significantly lower at ≥5 years post-HBsAg clearance compared to <5 years (P=0.004 for Group A, P=0.010 for Group B).
  • HBV DNA detection was challenging in sera with HBcAb titers ≤30% and >5 years post-HBsAg clearance.

Conclusions:

  • HBV DNA is rarely detectable in serum long after HBsAg clearance, particularly with low HBcAb titers.
  • The study suggests a high likelihood of complete viral clearance in many patients post-HBsAg seroconversion.
  • Even with negative HBsAg and HBcAb, HBV DNA is seldom found in serum, indicating a very low level of persistent viraemia.

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