ESTIMATION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN HEPATITIS B POSITIVE PATIENTS

Changes in immunological response have been reported during HBV infections, and these changes can be markers for the diagnosis and prediction of the outcome of infection The aim of this study was to measure and correlate serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), C-reactive protein (CRP) Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and HBV antigens and antibodies in a sample of patients with HBV infection and in healthy controls.

The study population consisted of 26 patients with hepatitis B infection (HBsAg seropositive), and 26 apparently healthy (HBsAg seronegative) participants as controls. Biochemical markers of liver disease were evaluated by routine methods. Hepatitis B antigens (HBVsAg, HBeAg) and antibodies (HBsAb, HBeAb, HBcAb) were determined using immunochromatographic method. Serum concentrations of IL-2, and CRP were determined using ELISA method.

IL-2 level in HBsAg seropositive patients was found to be lower than that of control with no statistical significance while CRP level in HBV positive patients was higher than that of control with no statistical significance. HBV patients showed statistically significant difference in AST and ALT levels, compared to healthy controls. A statistically significant value was also observed between IL-2 and CRP in HBV infected individuals.

The study concluded that deranged ALT and AST values correlate with HBV infection and may be a potential tool for disease diagnosis and progression.