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Updated: May 8, 2026
Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
Hepatitis B virus quantitative surface antigen levels differ by genotype
Leon He1, Alexa Keeshan2, Christopher Georgi3
1Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) antiviral treatment is guided by HBV DNA levels, liver enzyme values, and fibrosis score. Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) may represent a more cost-effective and less labour-intensive surrogate for HBV DNA. The influence of HBV genotype on qHBsAg has not been well considered. We explored the relationship between HBV DNA and qHBsAg as well as the influence of genotype.
Methods:
Genotype, HBV DNA, and qHBsAg levels for 138 non-HBV antiviral-treated patients followed at The Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program were assessed. Correlations between HBV DNA and qHBsAg as a function of HBV genotype were evaluated.
Results:
Mean age was 44.5 years; 52.2% were male, 52.3% Asian, and 34.9% Black. Overall median HBV DNA was 2,557 IU/mL. Highest median HBV DNA was in genotypes B (7,899 IU/mL) and C (39,900 IU/mL) and the lowest in genotype E (684 IU/mL). Median qHBsAg overall was 2,000 IU/mL. Highest median qHBsAg was in genotype E (9665 IU/mL) and lowest in genotypes B (300 IU/mL) and C (1,913 IU/mL). HBV DNA-to-qHBsAg ratio differed in direction and magnitude by genotype. HBV DNA and qHBsAg were positively correlated for genotypes A, B, and D but not correlated for genotypes C and E. Age, HBeAg status, and genotype independently predicted HBsAg level and log10 HBV DNA-to-log10 qHBsAg ratio by multi-variable median regression analysis.
Conclusions:
Median amounts and correlations between HBV DNA and qHBsAg differ in magnitude and direction depending on genotype. This knowledge may be relevant to HBV antiviral treatment guideline development.
