Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 2026

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
11:14

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection

Published on: November 7, 2018

Infrequent occurrence of silent HBV infection among Indian patients with chronic liver disease

S Radhakrishnan1, P Abraham, S Raghuraman

  • 1Department of Clinical Virology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore.

Indian Journal of Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology
|June 13, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Silent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is rare in Indian patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). This study found no association between silent HBV infection and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related CLD.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant global health concern.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major causes of CLD.
  • Silent HBV infection, defined as HBV DNA presence without HBsAg, requires further investigation in endemic regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of silent HBV infection in patients diagnosed with CLD in India.
  • To explore the potential association between silent HBV infection and co-infection with HCV.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma samples from 71 CLD patients were analyzed.
  • Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used to detect HBV DNA.
  • HBV serum markers (HBsAg, anti-HBc, HBeAg, anti-HBe) and HCV markers (HCV RNA, anti-HCV) were quantified.

Main Results:

  • Silent HBV infection was detected in 3.2% (2 out of 62) of HBsAg-negative CLD patients.
  • No cases of silent HBV infection were observed in patients with evidence of HCV infection (26 patients).
  • One HBsAg-positive patient showed anti-HCV positivity without detectable HCV RNA.

Conclusions:

  • The rate of silent HBV infection among CLD patients in India is low.
  • Silent HBV infection does not appear to be associated with HCV-related CLD in this cohort.
  • Findings contrast with reports from other Asian HBV-endemic areas, suggesting regional variations.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...