Pathological features and prognosis in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects millions globally.
• Understanding HBV reactivation is crucial for managing chronic infection.
• Liver biopsy remains a key diagnostic tool for assessing HBV-related liver damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term progression of liver disease in chronic HBV carriers.
• To identify predictors of hepatitis B reactivation.
• To evaluate the rates of hepatitis B surface antigen clearance and HBeAg seroconversion.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 220 Chinese chronic HBV carriers over 5 years.
• Serial liver function tests, serological analysis, and liver biopsies (initial, second, and third in subsets).
• Liver pathology classified by inflammatory activity (G0-G4) and fibrosis (S0-S4).

Main Results:

• Hepatitis B e antigen antibody-positive patients showed more severe inflammation and fibrosis than HBeAg-positive patients.
• Abnormal inflammation (≥ G2) observed in 55.5% of patients.
• Hepatitis B reactivation occurred in 15.9% of patients, strongly associated with initial high inflammation (≥ G2) and age.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis B reactivation is significantly correlated with older age and higher baseline liver inflammation.
• Hepatitis B surface antigen clearance and HBeAg seroconversion rates were documented.
• Findings emphasize the importance of monitoring liver inflammation in chronic HBV carriers.