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Clinical significance of serum HBVDNA detected by the PCR method
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
Changes in serum HBVDNA and their relationship to the prognosis following interferon (IFN) therapy were examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 4 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection undergoing IFN therapy. The disappearance of HBVDNA was confirmed by the PCR methods in 3 out of 4 patients who showed favorable subsequent courses. The remaining patient was positive for HBVDNA despite the disappearance of the HBe antigen. In this patient, the hepatitis recurred, and was accompanied by a persistent hepatic disorder. The PCR assay was also carried out to clarify the involvement of the hepatitis B virus in 12 patients who were positive for the HBe antibody and who showed fluctuating transaminase levels. The PCR method revealed that all 12 patients were positive for HBVDNA. These findings indicate the clinical usefulness of the PCR assay for hepatitis B virus infection.