Correlation between HBsAg level and HBV DNA replication level during chronic hepatitis B antiviral treatment with nucleoside analogues

Abstract

Objective To investigate the correlation between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA replication level in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with nucleoside analogues. Methods Of 100 CHB patients, 57 were treated with lamivudine for 2 years, 20 with adefovir dipivoxil for 2 years and 23 were nucleoside-naive. Any other antiviral medication was not performed in all patients. Serum samples were collected at different time points. HBV DNA was measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and HBsAg was quantified with an automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Correlation between HBV DNA and HBsAg were analyzed. Results (1)Among the 57 lamivudine-treated CHB patients, 20 who showed viral rebound after a good response were found with drastic changes in HBV DNA level at 4 time points not accompanied by correlated trends in HBsAg (P>0.05), and 37 who maintained a good response throughout the study were found with positively correlated changes in HBsAg and HBV DNA level (r=0.71, P 0.05). Conclusion During nucleoside analogue treatment of CHB, HBsAg titer may somewhat reflex the HBV DNA duplication level with good correlation among those who respond well to the therapy. Key words: Hepatitis B; chronic; Hepatitis B surface antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Replication levels; Nucleoside analogue