Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Quantification across Different Phases of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Using an Immunoradiometric Assay.
- Author:
Kwang Hyun CHUNG
1
;
Won KIM
;
Byeong Gwan KIM
;
Ho Young LEE
;
Eunhyo JIN
;
Yuri CHO
;
Ji Yeon SEO
;
Hwi Young KIM
;
Yong Jin JUNG
;
Ji Won KIM
;
Ji Bong JEONG
;
Kook Lae LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B surface antigens; Immunoradiometric assay; DNA
- MeSH: Adult; Alanine Transaminase/blood; Biomarkers/blood; DNA, Viral/*blood; Disease Progression; Female; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*blood; Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood; Hepatitis B virus/*genetics/immunology; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*immunology; Humans; *Immunoradiometric Assay; Male; Middle Aged; Seoul; Viral Load; Virus Replication
- From:Gut and Liver 2015;9(5):657-664
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is an emerging serologic test and may be useful for identifying treatment strategies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to evaluate HBsAg titers during the natural course of CHB and identify correlations between HBsAg titers and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA concentrations across different CHB phases measured using an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). METHODS: CHB phases were defined on the basis of HBV DNA concentrations, the presence of hepatitis B e antigen/antibody (HBeAg/Ab) and serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Serum HBsAg titers and paired HBV DNA concentrations in the different phases of CHB were compared using 627 serum samples. RESULTS: Mean HBsAg titers were significantly higher in the immunotolerant (IT) phase and immunoreactive (IR) HBeAg-positive phase than in the low-replicative (LR) and HBeAg-negative CHB (ENH) states. The correlation between HBsAg titers and HBV DNA concentrations was modest in the IT (n=36, r=0.804, p<0.001) and IR (n=48, r=0.773, p<0.001) phases, and it was poor in the LR state (n=116, r=0.289, p=0.002); however, no significant correlation was observed in the ENH state (n=67, r=0.146, p=0.237) or in the oral nucleos(t)ide analogue-treated group (n=267). CONCLUSIONS: HBsAg quantification using IRMA might be useful for discriminating different CHB phases and different stages of chronic liver disease.
