English

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between biochemical, serological and viral replication indices in an individual with incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg positive. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 73 asymptomatic HBsAg positive individuals between January 2010 and December 2011. They were divided into 5 groups on the basis of HBeAg status, ALT levels, and HBV DNA levels. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in HBV DNA levels and ALT between HBeAg positive and negative; and in ALT levels between cases in Group C and E and that between Groups C & D. There were significant difference in DNA levels between group D & group E and that between group C & group E. HBV DNA levels Co- related significantly with grade (r = 0.48, p 40 IU/ml) and those with normal ALT(<40 IU/ml). CONCLUSION: ALT and AST had a strong correlation with HBV DNA level. INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection and its sequel are serious public health problems worldwide. Around 2 billion people are infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide of which 400 million persons suffer chronic infection with HBV. 1 HBV infection is usually clinically in apparent. Approximately, 5-10% of infected adults develop chronic liver disease of varying severity. More than 90% of infants infected during the first year of life and 30-50% children infected between 1-4 yrs of age develop chronic infection. The risk of death from HBV related liver cancer and cirrhosis is approximately 25% in persons who become chronically infected during child hood.2, 3 15-40% of carriers will develop serious complications during lifetime like cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease or HCC. 1 75% of carriers are present in Asia. India has the second largest pool of HBsAg carriers after China. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to establish the relationship between biochemical, serological, viral replication indices in an individual with incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg positive.