Hepatitis B virus DNA levels in Saudi patients with different stages of chronic HBV infection

Abstract

The evaluation of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has evolved from serological to molecular diagnostic assays. Purpose of the study: This was to determine HBV DNA levels in patients with different stages of chronic HBV infection, and to correlate its clinical significance with the presence of serological markers of HBV replication and biochemical changes. Study design: HBV DNA levels in serum samples of 101 patients with different stages of chronic HBV infection were quantified by PCR-based assay. Patients were divided mainly into groups according to their HBeAg status, and then divided into further groups according to their alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Main findings: Serum HBV DNA was detected in 85.1% of patients. Positive HBeAg patients had significantly higher serum transaminases and HBV DNA levels than anti-HBepositive patients. All patients with positive HBeAg and high ALT; had positive PCR results. There are a high percentage of HBeAg-positive cases with high viral load of HBV DNA. 45.3% of patients with detectable HBV DNA were anti-HBe-positive with normal ALT, that might be considered non-viremic by some clinicians.