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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
[Relationship between liver pathological characteristics and serum HBeAg and HBV DNA in 1057 patients with chronic
Hui-min Fan1, Chun-lan Zhang, Ruo-su Ying
1Guangzhou No. 8 People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China. hmfan@21cn.com
Insights
Liver pathology in chronic hepatitis B correlates with Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA levels. Early liver biopsy and antiviral therapy are crucial, especially for HBeAg-negative patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pathology
Context:
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects millions globally.
- Liver biopsy remains a gold standard for assessing CHB activity.
- Serum biomarkers like HBeAg and HBV DNA are used to monitor disease.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between liver histopathology and serum markers (HBeAg, HBV DNA) in CHB patients.
- To determine the clinical significance of these markers in predicting liver damage.
Summary:
- A study of 1057 CHB patients revealed correlations between liver inflammation/fibrosis and HBeAg/HBV DNA levels.
- HBeAg-negative patients showed higher inflammatory grade and fibrosis stage.
- Liver damage patterns varied with HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels, indicating complex interactions.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the importance of integrating serological data with histopathological assessment.
- Emphasizes the need for early liver biopsy and timely antiviral treatment, particularly in HBeAg-negative CHB.
- Informs clinical management strategies for optimizing patient outcomes in CHB.
Objective:
To study the relationship between liver pathological changes and serum HBeAg and HBV DNA in 1057 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Methods:
Liver puncture biopsy for histopathological examinations were performed in 1057 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The quantitative analysis of serum HBV DNA by fluorogenic quantitative PCR and HBeAg by chemoluminescence were also conducted.
Results:
The inflammatory grade and fibrosis stage were higher in HBeAg-negative patients (G4 and S4 were 7.83% and 12.17% respectively) than in HBeAg-positive patients (G4 and S4 were 3.39% and 5.44% respectively). The inflammatory grade and fibrosis stage were higher in HBeAg-positive patients with low-level HBV DNA (G3G4 was 45.64% and S3S4 was 30.20% for HBV DNA104-105), whereas they were higher in HBeAg-negative patients with high-level HBV DNA (G3G4 was 54.55% for HBV DNA106-107 and S3S4 was 42.85% for HBV DNA108-109).
Conclusion:
There were some correlation between the liver pathological changes and serum HBeAg and HBV DNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B. It is important to perform the liver pathological examination and antiviral therapy as early as possible in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.
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