Correlation of Quantitative HbsAg with Quantitative HBV DNA in Different Phases of Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) Patients

Abstract

Background: Quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) level is increasingly recognized as an important marker in the course of HBV infection; however, its role in natural history of disease is still unclear. Aim: To study the baseline serum qHBsAg level and its association with quantitative HBV DNA levels in different phases of Indian chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Materials: We conducted cross-sectional study of consecutive 120 CHB patients (mean age 37 [SD 13] years, 67% males). HBV DNA was measured by RT PCR and serum qHBsAg levels by Abott Architect Assay. Results: 90.8% were HBe-negative patients. Median serum qHBsAg of study cohort was 3.74 log10 IU/mL. Overall correlation between qHBsAg levels and HBV DNA levels was weak (spearmen r= 0.298) and also in HBe-negative patients (r= 0.179). Patient having qHBsAg/HBV DNA ratio > 49.09 have shown good correlation between qHBsAg levels and HBV DNA levels. Conclusion: Quantitative HBsAg level was widely distributed among the different phases of CHB. Serum qHBsAg may not replace serum HBV DNA test in majority of adult CHB population which are mainly in HBe-negative low replicate stage.