Significance of HBV DNA Levels in Liver Histology of HBeAg and Anti-HBe Positive

[Guest guest]

Print ISSN: 0002-9270

Online ISSN: 1572-0241

Frequency: Monthly

Current Volume: 99

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2003: 7/47(Gastr & Hep)

Impact Factor: 4.172

Volume 99: Issue 10

Significance of HBV DNA Levels in Liver Histology of HBeAg and Anti-HBe

Positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Danny Ka-Ho Wong

Man-Fung Yuen

Chi-Hang Yuen

Sheung-Tat Fan

He-Jun Yuan

Simon Siu-Man Sum

Irene Oi-Lin Ng

Annie On-On Chan

Ching-Lung Lai

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and

total histologic activity index (HAI), necroinflammation (HAI-NI), and

fibrosis (HAI-F) scores.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Liver histology and HBV DNA levels were determined in 94 patients with

chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTS:

There was no association between HBV DNA levels and liver histology in

hepatitis-B-e antigen-positive patients (n = 43). In anti-HBe-positive

patients (n = 51), HBV DNA levels correlated positively with HAI-NI (r =

0.31, p= 0.014) and HAI-F (r = 0.33, p= 0.017) scores. Though the majority

of anti-HBe-positive patients with HBV DNA levels <105 copies/ml had mild

necroinflammation and no fibrosis, 14.3% had established fibrosis.

Anti-HBe-positive patients with core promoter mutations had a poorer

histology compared to those without. There was no difference in the

histology between anti-HBe-positive patients with and without precore

mutations. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level correlated positively with

HAI-NI score. Patients with persistently normal ALT levels had a

significantly lower median HAI-NI score compared to patients with either

persistently or intermittently elevated ALT levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

In anti-HBe-positive patients, though HBV DNA level <105 copies/ml was

associated with better histology, 14.3% patients had established fibrosis.

Further studies to define a better cut-off HBV DNA level to differentiate

low- and high-risk patients for disease progression are required.

[Guest guest]

Print ISSN: 0002-9270

Online ISSN: 1572-0241

Frequency: Monthly

Current Volume: 99

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2003: 7/47(Gastr & Hep)

Impact Factor: 4.172

Volume 99: Issue 10

Significance of HBV DNA Levels in Liver Histology of HBeAg and Anti-HBe

Positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Danny Ka-Ho Wong

Man-Fung Yuen

Chi-Hang Yuen

Sheung-Tat Fan

He-Jun Yuan

Simon Siu-Man Sum

Irene Oi-Lin Ng

Annie On-On Chan

Ching-Lung Lai

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and

total histologic activity index (HAI), necroinflammation (HAI-NI), and

fibrosis (HAI-F) scores.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Liver histology and HBV DNA levels were determined in 94 patients with

chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTS:

There was no association between HBV DNA levels and liver histology in

hepatitis-B-e antigen-positive patients (n = 43). In anti-HBe-positive

patients (n = 51), HBV DNA levels correlated positively with HAI-NI (r =

0.31, p= 0.014) and HAI-F (r = 0.33, p= 0.017) scores. Though the majority

of anti-HBe-positive patients with HBV DNA levels <105 copies/ml had mild

necroinflammation and no fibrosis, 14.3% had established fibrosis.

Anti-HBe-positive patients with core promoter mutations had a poorer

histology compared to those without. There was no difference in the

histology between anti-HBe-positive patients with and without precore

mutations. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level correlated positively with

HAI-NI score. Patients with persistently normal ALT levels had a

significantly lower median HAI-NI score compared to patients with either

persistently or intermittently elevated ALT levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

In anti-HBe-positive patients, though HBV DNA level <105 copies/ml was

associated with better histology, 14.3% patients had established fibrosis.

Further studies to define a better cut-off HBV DNA level to differentiate

low- and high-risk patients for disease progression are required.

[Guest guest]

Print ISSN: 0002-9270

Online ISSN: 1572-0241

Frequency: Monthly

Current Volume: 99

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2003: 7/47(Gastr & Hep)

Impact Factor: 4.172

Volume 99: Issue 10

Significance of HBV DNA Levels in Liver Histology of HBeAg and Anti-HBe

Positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Danny Ka-Ho Wong

Man-Fung Yuen

Chi-Hang Yuen

Sheung-Tat Fan

He-Jun Yuan

Simon Siu-Man Sum

Irene Oi-Lin Ng

Annie On-On Chan

Ching-Lung Lai

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and

total histologic activity index (HAI), necroinflammation (HAI-NI), and

fibrosis (HAI-F) scores.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Liver histology and HBV DNA levels were determined in 94 patients with

chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTS:

There was no association between HBV DNA levels and liver histology in

hepatitis-B-e antigen-positive patients (n = 43). In anti-HBe-positive

patients (n = 51), HBV DNA levels correlated positively with HAI-NI (r =

0.31, p= 0.014) and HAI-F (r = 0.33, p= 0.017) scores. Though the majority

of anti-HBe-positive patients with HBV DNA levels <105 copies/ml had mild

necroinflammation and no fibrosis, 14.3% had established fibrosis.

Anti-HBe-positive patients with core promoter mutations had a poorer

histology compared to those without. There was no difference in the

histology between anti-HBe-positive patients with and without precore

mutations. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level correlated positively with

HAI-NI score. Patients with persistently normal ALT levels had a

significantly lower median HAI-NI score compared to patients with either

persistently or intermittently elevated ALT levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

In anti-HBe-positive patients, though HBV DNA level <105 copies/ml was

associated with better histology, 14.3% patients had established fibrosis.

Further studies to define a better cut-off HBV DNA level to differentiate

low- and high-risk patients for disease progression are required.

[Guest guest]

Print ISSN: 0002-9270

Online ISSN: 1572-0241

Frequency: Monthly

Current Volume: 99

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2003: 7/47(Gastr & Hep)

Impact Factor: 4.172

Volume 99: Issue 10

Significance of HBV DNA Levels in Liver Histology of HBeAg and Anti-HBe

Positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Danny Ka-Ho Wong

Man-Fung Yuen

Chi-Hang Yuen

Sheung-Tat Fan

He-Jun Yuan

Simon Siu-Man Sum

Irene Oi-Lin Ng

Annie On-On Chan

Ching-Lung Lai

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and

total histologic activity index (HAI), necroinflammation (HAI-NI), and

fibrosis (HAI-F) scores.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Liver histology and HBV DNA levels were determined in 94 patients with

chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTS:

There was no association between HBV DNA levels and liver histology in

hepatitis-B-e antigen-positive patients (n = 43). In anti-HBe-positive

patients (n = 51), HBV DNA levels correlated positively with HAI-NI (r =

0.31, p= 0.014) and HAI-F (r = 0.33, p= 0.017) scores. Though the majority

of anti-HBe-positive patients with HBV DNA levels <105 copies/ml had mild

necroinflammation and no fibrosis, 14.3% had established fibrosis.

Anti-HBe-positive patients with core promoter mutations had a poorer

histology compared to those without. There was no difference in the

histology between anti-HBe-positive patients with and without precore

mutations. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level correlated positively with

HAI-NI score. Patients with persistently normal ALT levels had a

significantly lower median HAI-NI score compared to patients with either

persistently or intermittently elevated ALT levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

In anti-HBe-positive patients, though HBV DNA level <105 copies/ml was

associated with better histology, 14.3% patients had established fibrosis.

Further studies to define a better cut-off HBV DNA level to differentiate

low- and high-risk patients for disease progression are required.