Alteration in Cellular Immunity after Chronic Hepatitis B Deteriorated into Severe Hepatitis and Its Significance

Abstract

: Background: It is difficult to predict what type of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) progresses to chronic severe hepatitis B.Objectives: This study aimed to observe changes in the HBV-specific and -nonspecific cellmediated immune responses after CHB deteriorates into severe hepatic disease and explore the significance of such changes.Patients and Methods: This study aimed to observe changes in the HBV-specific and -nonspecific cell-mediated immune responses after CHB deteriorates into severe hepatic disease and explore the significance of such changes.Results: In 49 of 255 CHB patients (19.22%), the disease developed into chronic severe hepatitis (early stage) an average of 10.06 ± 1.73 days after admission. CD4+ and NK cells levels in Group A were lower after progression into severe hepatitis than on the second day of admission (baseline) (P < 0.01). CD8+ cells and nonspecific CTL levels in Group A were higher after progression than at baseline (P < 0.01), and latter was higher than in Group B at baseline (P < 0.01); the levels of CD8+ cells and nonspecific CTLs in Group A after progression were significantly higher than those of Group B 10 days after admission (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in HBV-specific CTL levels in Group A before and after progression to severe hepatitis (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Our results suggest that the immunological pathogenesis of chronic severe hepatitis B is related to significant rises in CD8+ and nonspecific CTL levels and that such increases predict that the disease will deteriorate into severe hepatitis. Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:To predict at certain degree if chronic hepatitis B will develop into severe hepatitis by testing cellular immunity at early stage , provide lab basis to prevent or stop the progress of chronic hepatitis B developing into severe hepatitis. Please cite this paper as:Xibing G, Xiaojuan Y, Zhonghua L, Juanhua W. Alteration in Cellular Immunity after Chronic Hepatitis B Deteriorated into Severe Hepatitis and Its Significance. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(10):810-5. DOI: 10.5812/kowsar.1735-143x.760 © 2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.