[Viral nucleic acids in the serum of hepatitis B patients]

Detection of hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV-DNA) is the most reliable test for infectivity of a patient's serum. HBV-DNA was detected by spot hybridization on nylon membrane. HBV-DNA was detected during the first or second week of jaundice in 22/133 (16.5%) sera from patients with acute hepatitis who did not develop chronic disease later on. However, in patients with acute hepatitis who later on developed the chronic form, HBV-DNA was found in 12/12 (100%) cases in the first or second week after onset. In other patients who had chronic hepatitis for longer than one year HBV-DNA was detected in 92/113 (81.4%) sera when HBe antigen was also detectable and in 11/104 (10.6%) when HBe antibodies were found. HBV-DNA was present in 32/38 (84.2%) sera from healthy antigen carriers when HBe antigen was detected and only in 2/173 (1.2%) sera of HBe antibody positive HBs antigen carriers. The highest levels of HBV-DNA were found in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection who were found in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection who were on haemodialysis therapy. Almost all had HBe antigen and HBV-DNA was also detectable in 82/84 (97%) sera. 11/28 (39.3%) sera from patients with chronic hepatitis B as well as HIV infection showed HBV-DNA. Detection of HBV-DNA has significantly improved the accuracy of diagnosis of hepatitis B viral infection.