Abstract
It has been observed that enlargement of perihepatic lymph nodes may be seen in patients with chronic hepatitis B, particularly during acute flares of CHB. We hypothesized that there may be a correlation between the nodal change patterns in CHB patients with acute flare and HBeAg status. Perihepatic lymph node sizes of 87 patients with acute flares of CHB were documented, with a median follow up of 43 months. Patients were separated into 3 groups, HBeAg-positive with HBe seroconversion (group 1), HBeAg-positive without HBe seroconversion (group 2), and HBeAg-negative (group 3). Group 1 has the highest incidence of enlarged lymph nodes (92.3%) compared with group 2 (75.8%) and group 3 (46.8%) (p = 0.003). And if nodal width at acute flare was > 8mm and interval change of nodal width was >3mm, the incidence of HBeAg seroconversion will be 75% (p<0.001).ConclusionLarger perihepatic lymph nodes are seen in CHB acute flare patients with positive HBeAg and the magnitude of nodal width change may predict HBeAg seroconversion at recovery.
Highlights
In the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection via perinatal transmission, the point of hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is an important milestone
Larger perihepatic lymph nodes are seen in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) acute flare patients with positive HBeAg and the magnitude of nodal width change may predict HBeAg seroconversion at recovery
The white blood cell (WBC) and PLT count, total bilirubin level, AFP level at acute flare stage showed no differences between groups, ALT level and HBV DNA level were higher in group 1 and lower in group 3 (Table 1)
Summary
In the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection via perinatal transmission, the point of hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is an important milestone. Long term follow up show chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infected individuals with HBeAg seroconversion have longer survival and less incidences of cirrhosis and hepatoma occurrence[1,2,3,4]. Perihepatic Lymph Node Size Association with CHB Status estimated annual HBeAg seroconversion rate is 2–15%[5]. The current guidelines in treatment of CHB patients further separate patients into different groups according to the HBeAg status and the achievement of HBeAg seroconversion is one of the major goals in HBeAg positive patients[8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
