Associations between HBeAg Status, HBV DNA, ALT Level and Liver Histopathology in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a significant healthcare problem all over the world. Between January 2009 and May 2014, a total of 96 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were enrolled in study. A total of 96 CHB cases were examined. The mean total liver histological activity indices for grade and stage were 6.01±2.46, and 1.6±0.99 and the mean ALT and AST levels were 32.6 ±21.0 IU/L and 25.6 ±11.2 IU/L, respectively. The mean HBV DNA level was 8.9 x106±3.3106 IU/mL. Forty (41.7%) patients had HBV DNA <20 IU/Ml (undetectable) and 14 (14.6%) patients had HBV DNA levels between 21 and 2000 IU/mL. Of the total 96 patients, 100% were HBsAg positive, 88 (91.7%) were HBeAg negative and 8 (8.3%) were HBeAg positive. A significant correlation was found between the HBeAg serostatus, HBV DNA level and the histological activity index necroinflammatory total scores (P= 0.034 and 0.000). We found no correlation between the fibrosis score and HBeAg status (P= 0.451). However, a statistically significant difference was found between HBV DNA levels and stage of fibrosis (P= 0.048). A significant relationship was found between the HBeAg status, HBV DNA level and ALT and AST levels (P= 0.000, 0.000, 0.032, 0.024). The HBeAg status of CHB patients should not affect the treatment response or need for long-term follow-up visits with repeat ALT and HBV DNA levels. However, chronic hepatitis patients who are negative for HBeAg may need different short-term follow-up.