Seroconversion from hepatitis B e antigen to antibody in chronic type B hepatitis

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Chronic type B hepatitis is a persistent viral infection affecting the liver.
• Disease activity is often monitored through serological markers and liver enzyme levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term clinical and biochemical outcomes of chronic type B hepatitis.
• To identify predictors of spontaneous remission in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal follow-up of 25 patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis B over 1-6 years.
• Serial measurements of aminotransferase levels, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody (anti-HBe), and hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase.
• Correlation of serological marker changes with clinical and biochemical disease activity.

Main Results:

• 13 out of 25 patients achieved spontaneous normalization of aminotransferase levels.
• These 13 patients also demonstrated seroconversion from HBeAg-positive to anti-HBe-positive, with loss of detectable DNA polymerase.
• Patients remaining HBeAg-positive generally continued to exhibit elevated aminotransferase levels.

Conclusions:

• Spontaneous remission of chronic type B hepatitis is achievable in a significant proportion of patients.
• Disappearance of HBeAg and hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase are key indicators heralding or accompanying remission.
• These serological changes suggest a reduction in active viral replication and liver inflammation.