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04:11
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
e-antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B in Bangladesh.
Nooruddin Ahmad1, Shahinul Alam, Golam Mustafa
1Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases International : HBPD INT
|August 12, 2008
Summary
HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients are older and exhibit more liver fibrosis than HBeAg-positive patients. Despite similar inflammation, cirrhosis is more prevalent in the e-antigen-negative group, highlighting distinct disease characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects approximately 10 million people in Bangladesh.
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a significant public health concern in densely populated regions.
- Understanding HBeAg-negative CHB characteristics is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the biochemical, virological, and histological features of HBeAg-negative CHB.
- To compare HBeAg-negative CHB patients with HBeAg-positive counterparts.
- To identify distinct clinical patterns associated with HBeAg status in CHB.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 2617 CHB patients with detectable HBV DNA were studied from 2001 to 2007.
- Exclusion criteria included co-infections (HIV, HDV, HCV), prior antiviral therapy, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Liver biopsy was performed on 237 patients for detailed histological analysis.
Main Results:
- HBeAg-negative CHB patients (39.7%) were older and had lower HBV DNA levels compared to HBeAg-positive patients.
- Increased hepatic fibrosis was observed in HBeAg-negative CHB patients.
- Cirrhosis was more common in HBeAg-negative patients, despite similar necroinflammatory activity and lower ALT/AST levels.
Conclusions:
- HBeAg-negative CHB is characterized by older age and more advanced liver fibrosis.
- Cirrhosis risk is elevated in HBeAg-negative CHB patients.
- Distinct biochemical and histological profiles exist between HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive CHB.
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