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Hepatitis Be antigen and antibody in chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma

D S Chen, J L Sung, M Y Lai

    Hepato-Gastroenterology
    |December 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody (anti-HBe) presence was studied in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Anti-HBe is a chronologic indicator of long-term Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage.

    Area of Science:

    • Hepatology
    • Virology
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern.
    • Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and its antibody (anti-HBe) are key serological markers in HBV infection.
    • Understanding their role in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is crucial.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the prevalence and significance of HBeAg and anti-HBe in patients with chronic liver disease and HCC.
    • To explore the relationship between HBeAg/anti-HBe status and disease activity, HBsAg titer, and patient age.
    • To assess the potential of anti-HBe as a chronologic indicator in chronic Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage.

    Main Methods:

    • Immunodiffusion assay was used to detect HBeAg and anti-HBe.
    • 144 patients with chronic liver disease and 129 with HCC were analyzed.
    • HBsAg positivity was common in the study cohort.

    Main Results:

    • In chronic active viral hepatitis B, 27% were HBeAg-positive and 40% were anti-HBe-positive.
    • HBeAg/anti-HBe levels did not correlate with histological activity or ALT levels.
    • HBeAg was associated with higher HBsAg titer and younger age, while anti-HBe showed an inverse correlation.
    • Two patients showed seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe over 13-20 months.
    • Anti-HBe was predominant in HCC (62%) and cirrhosis (54%) patients, suggesting long-term HBsAg carriage.

    Conclusions:

    • Anti-HBe appears to be a chronologic indicator of longstanding HBsAg carriage in chronic HBV infection.
    • The findings suggest a role for anti-HBe in understanding the chronicity of HBsAg antigenemia.
    • Predominance of anti-HBe in HCC and cirrhosis indicates prolonged HBV infection in these patient groups.

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