Quantitative hepatitis B core antibody and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen:Novel viral biomarkers for chronic hepatitis B management

The management of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity,disease progression,and treatment response.Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ability to predict clinical outcomes or therapeutic effectiveness.Quantitation of HBV core antibodies(qAnti-HBc)is a novel non-invasive biomarker that may help with a variety of diagnostic issues.It was shown to correlate strongly with infection stages,hepatic inflammation and fibrosis,chronic infection exacerbations,and the presence of occult infection.Furthermore,qAnti-HBc levels were shown to be predictive of spontaneous or treatment-induced HBeAg and HBsAg seroclearance,relapse after medication termination,re-infection following liver transplantation,and viral reactivation in the presence of immunosuppression.qAnti-HBc,on the other hand,cannot be relied on as a single diagnostic test to address all problems,and its diagnostic and prognostic potential may be greatly increased when paired with qHBsAg.Commercial qAnti-HBc diagnostic kits are currently not widely available.Because many methodologies are only semi-quantitative,comparing data from various studies and defining universal cut-off values remains difficult.This review focuses on the clinical utility of qAnti-HBc and qHBsAg in chronic hepatitis B management.

Mutations in surface and polymerase gene of chronic hepatitis B patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs

AIM： To investigate the clinical significance and presence of mutations in the surface （S） and overlapping polymerase gene of hepatitis B patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs. METHODS： Twenty-three patients with chronic hepatitis B were studied. Of the 23 patients, i i were both positive for hepatitis B virus （HBV） surface antigen （HBsAg） and antibody to HBV surface antigen （anti-HBs）, 12 were negative for anti-HBs while positive for HBsAg. DNA was extracted from 200 μL serum of the patients. Nucleotide of the surface and overlapping polymerase gene from HBV-infected patients was amplified by PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced. RESULTS： Forty-one mutations were found within the surface gene protein of HBV in 15 patients （10 with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs）. Six （14.6%） out of 41 mutations were located at ＂α＂ determinant region in 5 patients （4 positive for HBsAg and anti-HBs）. Eleven mutations （26.8%） occurred in the downstream or upstream of ＂α＂ determinant region. Lamivudine （LMV）- selected mutations were found in three patients who developed anti-HBs, which occurred in amino acid positions （196, 198, 199） of the surface protein and in YMDD motif （M204I/V） of the polymerase protein simultaneously. Presence of these mutations did not relate to changes in ALT and HBV DNA levels.CONCLUSION： Besides mutations in the ＂α＂ determinant region, mutations at downstream or upstream of the ＂α＂ determinant region may contribute to the development of anti-HBs. These mutations do not block the replicating competency of HBV in the presence of high titer of anti-HBs.

Recurrence and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance induced by peginterferon alpha-based regimens

BACKGROUND The long-term stability of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)seroclearance following peginterferon alpha(peg-IFN-α)-based therapy has not been extensively studied,leaving the full potential and limitations of this strategy unclear.AIM To assess HBsAg recurrence after seroclearance achieved by peg-IFN-αregimens.METHODS This prospective,multicenter,observational study was conducted from November 2015 to June 2021 at three Chinese hospitals:The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University,Ankang Central Hospital,and The Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University.Participants who achieved HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-α-based treatments were monitored every 4-12 weeks post-treatment for hepatitis B virus(HBV)markers,HBV DNA,and liver function.The primary outcome was HBV recurrence,defined as the reemergence of HBsAg,HBV DNA,or both,at least twice within 4-8 weeks of follow-up.RESULTS In total,121 patients who achieved HBsAg seroclearance were enrolled.After a median follow-up of 84.0(48.0,132.0)weeks,four subjects were lost to follow-up.HBsAg recurrence was detected in 16 patients.The cumulative HBsAg recurrence rate in the intention-to-treat population was 15.2%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that consolidation time<12 weeks[odds ratio(OR)=28.044,95%CI:4.525-173.791]and hepatitis B surface antibody disappearance during follow-up(OR=46.445,95%CI:2.571-838.957)were strong predictors of HBsAg recurrence.HBV DNA positivity and decompensation of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were not observed.CONCLUSION HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-αtreatment was durable over 84 weeks of follow-up with a cumulative recurrence rate of 15.2%.

Hepatitis B surface antigen-negative but hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive false occult hepatitis B virus infection:A case report

BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B infection(OBI)is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA in serum(usually HBV DNA<200 IU/mL)or the liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg).The diagnosis of OBI relies on the sensitivity of assays used in the detection of HBV DNA and HBsAg.HBsAg assays with inadequate sensitivity or inability to detect HBV S variants may lead to misdiagnosis of OBI in people with overt HBV infection.CASE SUMMARY We report a HBsAg-negative but hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive patient who had a significant HBV DNA level.The patient was initially diagnosed as having OBI.However,sequence analysis revealed a unique insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 in the S protein,which affects the formation of a disulfide bond that is associated with the formation of a loop.It is well known that there is an overlap between the S protein and Pol protein.We found that this new insertion site occurred in polymerase/reverse transcriptase domain,indi-cating that this insertion might be involved in HBV pathogenicity.The patient was finally diagnosed with a false OBI.CONCLUSION An insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 of the S protein affects the formation of immunodominant epitopes and results in negative HBsAg levels.

Screening and evaluation of human single-chain fragment variable antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen

BACKGROUND: Phage display technology has become a vital tool in studies aimed at identifying molecules binding to a specific target. It enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to essentially any disease target appropriate for antibody therapy. In this study, we prepared the recombinant single-chain fragment variable ( ScFv) antibody to hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) by the phage display technology for obtaining a virus-targeting mediator. METHODS: mRNA was isolated from B-lymphocytes from a healthy volunteer and converted into cDNA. The fragment variables of heavy and light chain were amplified separately and assembled into ScFv DNA with a specially constructed DNA linker by polymerase chain reaction. The ScFv DNA was ligated into the phagmid vector pCANT-AB5E and the ligated sample was transformed into competent E. coli TG1. The transformed cells were infected with M13K07 helper phage to form a human recombinant phage antibody library. The volume and recombinant rate of the library were evaluated by bacterial colony count and restriction analysis. After two rounds of panning with HBsAg. the phage clones displaying ScFv of the antibody were selected by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay ( ELISA) from the enriched phage clones. The antigen binding affinity of the positive clone was detected by competition ELISA. HB2151 E. coli was transfected with the positive phage clone demonstrated by competition ELISA for production of a soluble form of the anti-HBsAg ScFv. ELISA assay was used to detect the antigen binding affinity of the soluble anti-HBsAg ScFv. Finally, the relative molecular mass of soluble anti-HBsAg ScFv was measured by SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: The variable heavy ( VH ) and variable light (VL) and ScFv DNAs were about 340bp, 320bp and 750bp, respectively. The volume of the library was up to 2 × 106 and 8 of 10 random clones were recombinants. Two phage clones could strongly compete with the original HBsAb for binding to HBsAg. Within 2 strong positive phage clones, the soluble anti-HBsAg ScFv from one clone was found to have the binding activity with HBsAg. SDS-PAGE showed that the relative molecular weight of soluble anti-HBsAg ScFv was 32 kDa. CONCLUSION: The anti-HBsAg ScFv successfully produced by phage antibody technology may be useful for broadening the scope of application of the antibody.

Hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion after HBV reactivation in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus(HBV)can occur in lymphoma patients infected with HBV when they receive chemotherapy or immunotherapy.Prophylactic administration of lamivudine(LAM)reduces the morbidity and mortality associated with HBV reactivation.However,what defines HBV reactivation and the optimal duration of treatment with LAM have not yet been clearly established.HBV reactivation may occur due to the cessation of prophylactic LAM,although re-treatment with nucleoside analogs may sometimes result in hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)seroconversion,which is a satisfactory endpoint for the management of HBV infection.We report a case of HBV reactivation in a 68-year-old HBsAg-positive patient who received rituximab-based immunochemotherapy for follicular lymphoma.HBV reactivation developed following cessation of prophylactic LAM therapy.The patient subsequently received treatment with entecavir(ETV),which led to a rapid and sustained suppression of HBV replication and HBsAg seroconversion.We also appraised the literature concerning HBV reactivation and the role of ETV in the management of HBV reactivation in lymphoma patients.A total of 28 cases of HBV reactivation have been reported as having been treated with ETV during or after immunosuppressive chemotherapy in lymphoma patients.We conclude that ETV is an efficacious and safe treatment for HBV reactivation following LAM cessation in lymphoma patients treated with rituximab-based immunochemotherapy.

High affinity mouse-human chimeric Fab against Hepatitis B surface antigen

AIM： Passive immunotherapy using antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg） has been advocated in certain cases of Hepatitis B infection. We had earlier reported on the cloning and expression of a high affinity scFv derived from a mouse monoclonal （5S） against HBsAg. However this mouse antibody cannot be used for therapeutic purposes as it may elicit anti-mouse immune responses. Chimerization by replacing mouse constant domains with human ones can reduce the immunogenicity of this antibody.METHODS： We cloned the VH and V, genes of this mouse antibody, and fused them with CH1 domain of human IgG1 and C, domain of human kappa chain respectively. These chimeric genes were cloned into a phagemid vector. After initial screening using the phage display system, the chimeric Fab was expressed in soluble form in E. coli.RESULTS： The chimeric Fab was purified from the bacterial periplasmic extract. We characterized the chimeric Fab using several in vitro techniques and it was observed that the chimeric molecule retained the high affinity and specificity of the original mouse monoclonal. This chimeric antibody fragment was further expressed in different strains of E. coli to increase the yield.CONCLUSION： We have generated a mouse-human chimeric Fab against HBsAg without any significant loss in binding and epitope specificity. This chimeric Fab fragment can be further modified to generate a fulllength chimeric antibody for therapeutic uses.

Cost effective filamentous phage based immunization nanoparticles displaying a full-length hepatitis B virus surface antigen

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. In combating HBV infections, HBV diagnosis and vaccination are therefore critical. The hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) is a key target molecule in developing vaccines and diagnostic systems. To date, although HBsAg has been expressed in bacteria, yeasts and mammalian cells, there are still limitations in the existing ones, which leave the necessity for searching new HBsAg production methods. In this study, a simple phage display-based method was developed to produce the purified full-length HBsAg molecules for further immunization studies. For this purpose, the HBsAg coding gene was cloned into a pCANTAB5E phagemid vector and expressed on the surface of M13 filamentous phages. The HBsAg-expressing phage nanosystem was then used as immunization agent in BALB/cJ mice. The ELISA results for sera obtained from mice immunized with HBsAg-displaying phage particles revealed an immune response against HBsAg. These results demonstrate the potential use of a full-length antigen to be displayed on phages as cost effective adjuvant-free immunization agents as an alternative to the highly purified and more expensive antigens conjugated with carrier molecules.

HBV C基因型有关的HBsAg阴性HBV DNA阳性患者S区突变对HBsAg的影响

目的通过构建HBV C基因型突变质粒研究HBsAg阴性HBV DNA阳性患者HBV S区突变对HBsAg水平的影响。方法收集2022年8月至2023年4月首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院107例HBsAg-/HBV DNA+患者血液样本,对成功提取扩增的HBV DNA S区进行测序,通过构建HBV C基因型突变质粒对HBV S区突变位点进行细胞功能验证,探讨OBI可能发生的分子机制。结果对成功提取扩增的68例患者进行测序,发现HBV S区存在大量突变,包括免疫逃逸突变(如sG145R、sK122R、sS114T、sT131P等)和跨膜结构域(transmembrane domain,TMD)突变(如sT5A、sG10D、sF20S等)。通过构建HBV C基因型突变质粒,进行细胞转染和细胞免疫荧光实验发现sG145R突变会明显降低HBsAg的表达,但是sK122R、sI26N、sQ29N、sR169H、sS114T、sT131P这6个突变位点并未影响细胞内外HBsAg的表达。结论通过测序发现HBsAg-/HBV DNA+患者HBV S区存在大量突变位点,通过构建sG145R、sK122R、sI26N、sQ29N、sS114T和ST131P等突变质粒发现sG145R突变会明显降低细胞内外HBsAg的表达,但是sK122R、sI26N、sQ29N、sR169H、sS114T、sT131P并未明显降低细胞内外HBsAg的表达。

Transformation of hepatitis B serologic markers in babies born to hepatitis B surface antigen positive mothers

AIM:To better understand the clinical significance of hepatitis B seroiogic markers in babies born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers, the incidence of maternal seroiogic markers of hepatitis B via placenta and its transformation in these babies were investigated. METHODS: Mothers with positive HBsAg were selected in the third trimester of pregnancy. Their babies received immunoprophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine after birth, and were consecutively followed up for hepatitis B seroiogic markers and HBV DNA at birth, mo 1, 4, 7, 12, and 24. RESULTS: Forty-two babies entered the study, including 16 born to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive HBsAg carrier mothers and 26 to HBeAg-negative HBsAg carrier mothers. Apart from four babies born to HBeAg-positive carrier mothers and demonstrated persistent positive HBeAg eventually became HBV carriers, all other babies developed anti-HBs before 12 mo of age. Among the other 12 babies born to HBeAg-positive carrier mothers, HBeAg was detected in 7 at birth, in 4 at mo 1, and in none of them thereafter. No antibody response to the transplacental HBeAg was detected. Among the babies born to HBeAg-negative carrier mothers, anti-HBe was detected 100% at birth and mo 1, in 88.5% at mo 4, in 46.2% at mo 7, in 4.2% at mo 12 and none in mo 24. Among all the immunoprophylaxis-protected babies born to either HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative carrier mothers, anti-HBc was detected in 100% at birth, mo 1 and mo 4, in 78.9% at mo 7, in 36.1% at mo 12 and in none at mo 24. CONCLUSION: HBeAg can pass through human placenta from mother to fetus and become undetectable before 4 mo of age, but no antibodies response to the transplacental HBeAg can be detected till mo 24 in the immunoprophylaxis-protected babies. The sole existence of anti-HBe before 1 year of age or anti-HBc before 2 years of age in babies born to HBsAg carrier mothers may simply represent the transplacental maternal antibodies, instead of indicators of HBV infection status.

Clinical utility of hepatitis B surface antigen kinetics in treatment-na?ve chronic hepatitis B patients during longterm entecavir therapy

AIM To investigate the utility of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) kinetics in chronic hepatitis B patients during long-term entecavir treatment.METHODS This retrospective study included treatment-na?ve chronic hepatitis B patients who received at least 2 years of consecutive entecavir treatment. Patients were followed up at three to six month intervals with liver biochemistry, hepatitis B virus DNA, and abdominal sonography. In hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive patients, HBeAg levels were assessed every three to six month until results became negative. Serum HBsAg levels were determined at the baseline, oneyear and five-year time points. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed through liver biopsy, imaging examinations, or clinical findings of portal hypertension. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed by histological examination or dynamic image studies.RESULTS A total of 211 patients were enrolled. The median treatment time was 5.24(2.00-9.62) years. Multivariate analysis showed that lower baseline HBsAg levels were associated with an earlier virological response, earlier hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg) seroconversion, and earlier biochemical response in HBeAg-positive patients(cut-off value: 4 log IU/mL) and an earlier virological response in HBeAg-negative non-cirrhotic patients(cut-off value: 2.4 log IU/mL). Although HBsAg levels decreased slowly during long-term entecavir treatment, higher HBsAg decrease rates were found in the first year for HBeAg-positive non-cirrhotic patients, and patients with higher baseline HBsAg levels. More favorable clinical outcomes were not observed by a rapid HBsAg decline per se, but depended on lower baseline HBsAg levels.CONCLUSION Baseline HBsAg can be used to predict treatment responses. HBsAg levels and decrease rates should be considered together according to disease status while interpreting HBsAg changes.

Hepatitis B virus infection:defective surface antigen expression and pathogenesis

Hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection is a global public health concern. HBV causes chronic infection in patients and can lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other severe liver diseases. Thus, understanding HBV-related pathogenesis is of particular importance for prevention and clinical intervention. HBV surface antigens are indispensable for HBV virion formation and are useful viral markers for diagnosis and clinical assessment. During chronic HBV infection, HBV genomes may acquire and accumulate mutations and deletions, leading to the expression of defective HBV surface antigens. These defective HBV surface antigens have been found to play important roles in the progression of HBV-associated liver diseases. In this review, we focus our discussion on the nature of defective HBV surface antigen mutations and their contribution to the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatitis B. The relationship between defective surface antigens and occult HBV infection are also discussed.

Progression and status of antiviral monitoring in patients with chronic hepatitis B:From HBsAg to HBV RNA

As alternative indexes of hepatitis B virus(HBV),co-valently closed circular DNA(cccDNA) transcriptional activity,hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg),hepatitis B core-related antigen(HBcrAg),and peripheral blood RNA known as pgRNA,have been advocated as novel serum markers for prediction of prognosis and treatment response in chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Since the availability of commercial quantitative assays of HBsAg in 2011,HBsAg has been widely used for predicting treatment response of patients with CHB. Patients who received interferon therapy have shown a sharper reduction of HBsAg level than those who received nucleoside drug(NAs) therapy. Upon peginterferon treatment,sustained responders have presented a larger reduction of HBsAg level than the non-responders. An absence of HBsAg decline,together with < 2 log reduction in HBV DNA at week 12,can serve as a stopping rule in HBsAg-negative patients infected with genotype D HBV. A sharp reduction of HBs Ag titer in the NAs therapy is a predictor of HBsAg clearance in long-term treatment. HBcrAg,which consists of three species of related proteins sharing an identical 149 amino acid sequence,including HbcAg,hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg),and a truncated 22-kDa precore protein,is still detectable in situations where serum HBV DNA levels become undetectable or HBsAg loss is achieved. Therefore,HBcrAg remains a measurable serum marker to correlate with cccDNA in this situation. The decline in HBcrAg has been observed with NAs therapy and the pattern of decline might provide prognostic information on the risk of HBV posttreatment reactivation. Peripheral blood RNA,which is known as pgRNA,directly derives from cccDNA and reflects intrahepatic cccDNA level. Quantitative pgRNA has been suggested to be helpful in CHB management. However,commercial quantitative assays are lacking. Additionally,the use of simultaneous and continuous clearance of HBV RNA and HBV DNA in serum has been suggested to be a safe stopping rule of NAs therapy for patients with CHB. However,clinical studies of large sample sizes are needed to prove the feasibility andsignificance of using serum HBV RNA as the assessment standard of antiviral therapy in CHB and the safety of the stopping rule in clinics.

Add-on pegylated interferon augments hepatitis B surface antigen clearance vs continuous nucleos(t)ide analog monotherapy in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B surface antigen≤1500 IU/mL:An observational study

BACKGROUND Nucleos(t)ide analog(NA)has shown limited effectiveness against hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)clearance in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of add-on peginterferonα-2a(peg-IFNα-2a)to an ongoing NA regimen in CHB patients.METHODS In this observational study,195 CHB patients with HBsAg≤1500 IU/m L,hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-negative(including HBeAg-negative patients or HBeAg-positive patients who achieved HBeAg-negative after antiviral treatment with NA)and hepatitis B virus-deoxyribonucleic acid<1.0×10^2 IU/mL after over 1 year of NA therapy were enrolled between November 2015 and December2018 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,China.Patients were given the choice between receiving either peg-IFNα-2a add-on therapy to an ongoing NA regimen(add-on group,n=91)or continuous NA monotherapy(monotherapy group,n=104)after being informed of the benefits and risks of the peg-IFNα-2a therapy.Total therapy duration of peg-IFNα-2a was 48 wk.All patients were followed-up to week 72(24 wk after discontinuation of peg-IFNα-2a).The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with HBsAg clearance at week 72.RESULTS Demographic and baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups.Intention-to-treatment analysis showed that the HBsAg clearance rate in the add-on group and monotherapy group was 37.4%(34/91)and 1.9%(2/104)at week 72,respectively.The HBsAg seroconversion rate in the add-on group was 29.7%(27/91)at week 72,and no patient in the monotherapy group achieved HBsAg seroconversion at week 72.The HBsAg clearance and seroconversion rates in the add-on group were significantly higher than in the monotherapy group at week 72(P<0.001).Younger patients,lower baseline HBsAg concentration,lower HBsAg concentrations at weeks 12 and 24,greater HBsAg decline from baseline to weeks 12 and 24 and the alanine aminotransferase≥2×upper limit of normal during the first 12 wk of therapy were strong predictors of HBsAg clearance in patients with peg-IFNα-2a add-on treatment.Regarding the safety of the treatment,4.4%(4/91)of patients in the add-on group discontinued peg-IFNα-2a due to adverse events.No severe adverse events were noted.CONCLUSION Peg-IFNα-2a as an add-on therapy augments HBsAg clearance in HBeAg-negative CHB patients with HBsAg≤1500 IU/m L after over 1 year of NA therapy.

The Predictive Value of Baseline HBs Ag Level and Early Response for HBs Ag Loss in Patients with HBe Ag-positive Chronic Hepatitis B during Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Treatment

Objective To explore the predictive value of baseline HBs Ag level and early response for HBs Ag loss in patients with HBe Ag-positive chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment. Methods A total of 121 patients with HBe Ag-positive chronic hepatitis B who achieved HBs Ag loss were enrolled; all patients were treated with PEG-IFNα-2a 180 μg/week. Serum HBV DNA and serological indicators （HBs Ag, anti-HBs, HBe Ag, and anti-HBe） were determined before and every 3 months during treatment. Results The median treatment time for HBs Ag loss was 84 weeks （7-273 weeks）, and 74.38% （90 cases） of the patients needed extended treatment （〉 48 weeks）. The correlation between baseline HBs Ag levels and the treatment time of HBs Ag loss was significant （B = 14.465, t = 2.342, P = 0.021）. Baseline HBs Ag levels together with the decline range of HBs Ag at 24 weeks significantly correlated with the treatment time of HBs Ag loss （B = 29.862, t = 4.890, P = 0.000 and B = 27.993, t = 27.993, P = 0.005）. Conclusion Baseline HBs Ag levels and extended therapy are critical steps toward HBs Ag loss. Baseline HBs Ag levels together with early response determined the treatment time of HBs Ag loss in patients with HBe Ag-positive chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment.

Hepatitis B surface antigen levels during natural history of chronic hepatitis B: A Chinese perspective study

AIM: To determine the baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels during the different phases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in China.

Clinical features of HBs Ag seroclearance in hepatitis B virus carriers in South Korea: A retrospective longitudinal study

AIM To investigate the characteristic features of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag) seroclearance among Korean hepatitis B virus(HBV) carriers.METHODS Carriers with HBs Ag seroclearance were selected by analyzing longitudinal data collected from 2003 to 2015. The period of time from enrollment to the negative conversion of HBs Ag(HBs Ag-NC) was compared by stratifying various factors, including age, sex, hepatitis B e antigen(HBe Ag), HBV DNA, sequential changes in the signal-to-cutoff ratio of HBs Ag(HBs Ag-SCR), as measured by qualitative HBs Ag assay, and chronic liver disease on ultrasonography(US-CLD). Quantification of HBV DNA and HBs Ag(HBs Ag-QNT) in the serum was performed by commercial assay.RESULTS Among the 1919 carriers, 90(4.7%) exhibited HBs AgNC at 6.2 ± 3.6 years after registration, with no differences observed among the different age groups. Among these carriers, the percentages of those with asymptomatic liver cirrhosis(LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) at registration were 31% and 7.8%, respectively. The frequency of HBs Ag-NC significantly differed according to the HBV DNA titer and US-CLD. HBe Ag influenced HBs Ag-NC in the 40-50 and 50-60 year age groups. HBs Ag-SCR < 1000 was correlated with an HBs Ag-QNT < 200 IU/m L. A gradual decrease in the HBs Ag-SCR to < 1000 predicted HBs Ag-NC. Six patients developed HCC after registration, including two before and four after HBs Ag-NC. The rate at which the patients developed new HCC after HBs Ag seroclearance was 4.8%. LC with excessive drinking and vertical infection were found to be risk factors for HCC in the HBs Ag-NC group.CONCLUSION HCC surveillance should be continued after HBs Ag seroclearance. An HBs Ag-SCR < 1000 and its decrease in sequential testing are worth noting as predictive markers of HBs Ag loss.

Hepatitis B surface antigen clearance in inactive hepatitis B surface antigen carriers treated with peginterferon alfa-2a

AIM: To examine the association between interferon(IFN) therapy and loss of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag) in inactive HBs Ag carriers. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in inactive HBs Ag carriers, who were treatment-naive, with a serum HBs Ag level < 100 IU/m L and an undetectable hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA level(< 100 IU/m L). All the 20 treated patients received subcutaneous PEG-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg/wk for 72 wk and were then followed for 24 wk. There were 40 untreated controls matched with 96 wk of observation. Serum HBs Ag, HBV DNA, and alanine aminotransferases were monitored every 3 mo in the treatment group and every 3-6 mo in the control group. RESULTS: Thirteen(65.0%) of 20 treated patients achieved HBs Ag loss, 12 of whom achieved HBs Ag seroconversion. Mean HBs Ag level in treated patients decreased to 6.69 ± 13.04 IU/m L after 24 wk of treatment from a baseline level of 26.22 ± 33.00 IU/m L. Serum HBV DNA level remained undetectable(< 100 IU/m L) in all treated patients during the study. HBs Ag level of the control group decreased from 25.72 ± 25.58 IU/m L at baseline to 17.11 ± 21.62 IU/m L at week 96(P = 0.108). In the control group, no patient experienced HBs Ag loss/seroconversion, and two(5.0%) developed HBV reactivation.CONCLUSION: IFN treatment results in HBs Ag loss and seroconversion in a considerable proportion of inactive HBs Ag carriers with low HBs Ag concentrations.

HBsAg levels in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with different immune conditions

AIM: To investigate hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and different immune conditions.

Baseline HBsAg predicts response to pegylated interferon-α2b in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients

AIM: To evaluate the predictive effect of baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-&#x003b1;2b in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.