Characteristics and course of chronic hepatitis B e antigen-negative infection

Abstract

Abstract Objective To describe the epidemiological, analytical and histological characteristics and clinical course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers with negative HBe antigen. Materials and methods Observational, retrospective cohort study of HBV carriers with negative HBe antigen (2005–2012), with no other causes of liver disease. Results One hundred and thirty-eight patients were included, with mean age 40.5 ± 12.2 years; 54% were women, and 38% were of foreign origin; the number of foreign patients significantly increased ( p ® or liver biopsy: 55.4% normal histology and 6.1% cirrhosis. Just over three quarters of patients (77.77%) were inactive carriers. Treatment was required in 15.5% of patients (20% because of cirrhosis and 80% HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B). Five patients cleared HBsAg (annual rate .94%), all of whom presented HBV-DNA Conclusion Among HBV carriers with negative HBe antigen, inactive HBs-Ag carriers are predominant. HBV-DNA gradually decreases in the first few years after diagnosis. Morbidity and mortality are low, especially if glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) is normal and HBV-DNA levels are low at diagnosis. Treatment is needed in a considerable number of patients. HCC is the most frequent complication, even in the absence of cirrhosis.