Serum cytokine profile in patients with hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic active hepatitis B and inactive hepatitis B virus carriers

Table 1 Characteristics of hepatitis B e antigen--negative chronic active hepatitis B patients and asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers

Parameters	Group A(n = 21)	Group B(n = 13)	P value
Males (%)	12/21 (57)	7/13 (54)	NS
Age (yr)	44 (19-60)	39.5 (32-47)	NS
HBV DNA (c/mL)	1.25×106 (0.04×106-3×106)	< 1000	N/A
ALT (IU/L)	90 (73-108)	32 (22-39)	< 0.001
AST (IU/L)	85 (69-102)	28 (17-39)	< 0.001
Histopathology		N/A
HAI score
Category A	2 (1-4)
Category B	0 (0-1)
Category C	2 (0-3)
Category D	3 (1-4)
Total score	7 (4-13)
Stage	2

Data expressed as median (min-max), upper limit of normal for both aminotransferases: 40 IU/L. Group A: Hepatitis B e antigen--negative chronic active hepatitis B patients; Group B: Asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers. NS: Non-significant; NA: Not applicable; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; ALT: Alanine amiotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; HAI: Hepatitis activity index.