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World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2007; 13(20): 2878-2882
Published online May 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i20.2878
Intrahepatic HBV DNA as a predictor of antivirus treatment efficacy in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients
Hai-Ying Lu, Li-Wei Zhuang, Yan-Yan Yu, Hadad Ivan, Chong-Wen Si, Zheng Zeng, Jun Li, Dong-Ming Hou, Xin-Yue Chen, Zhong-Hou Han, Yong Chen
Hai-Ying Lu, Li-Wei Zhuang, Yan-Yan Yu, Chong-Wen Si, Zheng Zeng, Jun Li, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
Hadad Ivan, Dong-Ming Hou, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
Xin-Yue Chen, Beijing You’an Hospital, Beijing 100054, China
Zhong-Hou Han, Qinhuangdao Third Hospital, Qinhuangdao 066000, Hebei Province, China
Yong Chen, Huai’an Infectious Disease Hospital, Huai’an 223300, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, No. H020920020690
Correspondence to: Professor Chong-Wen Si, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China. bjsichongwen@sina.com
Telephone: +86-10-66551122-2370
Received: December 25, 2006
Revised: January 5, 2007
Accepted: January 14, 2007
Published online: May 28, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effect of antiviral agents on intrahepatic HBV DNA in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.

METHODS: Seventy-one patients received treatment with lamivudine, interferon alpha (IFN-α2b) or sequential therapy with lamivudine-IFN-α2b for 48 wk. All subjects were followed up for 24 wk. Serum and intrahepatic HBV DNA were measured quantitatively by PCR. HBV genotypes were analyzed by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS: At the end of treatment, the intrahepatic HBV DNA level in 71 patients decreased from a mean of (6.1 ± 1.0) log10 to (4.9 ± 1.4) log10. Further, a larger decrease was seen in the intrahepatic HBV DNA level in patients with HBeAg seroconversion. Intrahepatic HBV DNA level (before and after treatment) was not significantly affected by the patients’ HBV genotype, or by the probability of virological flare after treatment.

CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic HBV DNA can be effectively lowered by antiviral agents and is a significant marker for monitoring antivirus treatment. Low intrahepatic HBV DNA level may achieve better efficacy of antivirus treatment.

Keywords: Intrahepatic HBV DNA; Histology; Antiviral therapy; HBV genotype