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Serum Interleukin-6 as an Inflammatory Biomarker Associated with HBV Viral Load in HBsAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B

Jayakrishna Pamarthi1, Sugan Panneerselvam1, Nanda Amarnath Rajesh2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.

Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are closely associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in patients with chronic HBV infection. This finding suggests IL-6 may be a useful biomarker for monitoring disease activity.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health concern.
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in immune responses and liver inflammation.
  • The precise relationship between IL-6, HBV viral load, and disease severity requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in patients with chronic HBV infection.
  • To explore the correlation of IL-6 with viral load and disease severity markers.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 293 HBsAg-positive patients.
  • Serum IL-6 measured by ELISA and HBV DNA quantified by real-time PCR.
  • Statistical analyses included correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

  • IL-6 levels significantly increased with higher HBV DNA viral load categories (p < 0.001).
  • IL-6 showed a positive correlation with HBV DNA levels (r = 0.40, p < 0.001).
  • HBV DNA was identified as a significant independent predictor of IL-6 levels.

Conclusions:

  • Serum IL-6 is closely associated with HBV DNA levels in chronic hepatitis B patients.
  • IL-6 may serve as an adjunct biomarker for assessing disease activity in chronic HBV infection.
  • The association of IL-6 with conventional liver injury markers was less pronounced than with viral load.
Abstract

Keywords:
hepatitis B virushepatitis E antigeninterleukin-6real-time polymerase chain reaction

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