OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes in serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and their relation to hepatic parenchyma cell volume (hepatic cell quantity) at different grades of liver inflammation and stages of hepatic fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSSerum HBsAg levels were detected by electrochemilumineseence. Serum HBsAg levels were apportioned according to the hepatic parenchyma cell volume and compared among liver histological inflammation grade (1, 2, 3 and 4) and hepatic fibrosis stage ( I, II, III and IV), respectively.

RESULTSThe levels of serum HBsAg among the four liver histological inflammation grades were:1:6,036.4+/-2,729.4 COI/ml; 2:6,704.6+/-2,457.5 COI/ml; 3:6,332.2+/-2,409.0 COI/ml; 4:6,226.2+/-2,716.0 COI/ml. There were no differences among the groups before apportion (Fbefore apportion=0.564, P=0.640).Serum HBsAg levels apportioned by the hepatic parenchyma cell volume among liver histological inflammation grades were:1:9,174.8+/-4,142.0 COI/ml; 2:10,743.1+/-3,950.3 COI/ml; 3:11,078.0+/-4 230.0COI/ml; 4:11,540.5+/-5,058.8 COI/ml. There were significant differences among the groups after apportion (Fafter apportion =27.354, P<0.001). Serum HBsAg levels among hepatic fibrosis stages were: I: 6,222.1+/-2,665.4 COI/mL; II: 6,706.8+/-2,623.8 COI/ml; III:6 004.5+/-2,625.5 COI/ml; IV:6,455.6+/-2,344.4 COI/ml. There were no differences among groups before apportion (Fbefore apportion=0.768, P=0.513).Serum HBsAg levels apportioned by the hepatic parenchyma cell volume (hepatic cell quantity) among hepatic fibrosis stages were: I :9 417.5+/-4,034.2 COI/ml; II :10,093.3+/-4,183.4 COI/ml; III:10,177.1+/-4,445.0 COI/ml; IV:12,166.6+/-4,418.5 COI/ml. There were significant differences among the groups after apportion (Fafter apportion=57.077, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSerum HBsAg levels apportioned by the same hepatic parenchyma cell volume (hepatic cell quantity), rather than serum HBsAg levels, increased with hepatic pathological progress.

Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Liver Cirrhosis