Elevated soluble 4-1BB is associated with serum markers of hepatitis B virus in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that the costimulatory molecule 4-1BB plays pivotal roles in regulating immunity during chronic viral infection.However,up to now,there are few studies about 4-1BB in chronic hepatitis B(CHB).AIM To clarify this issue,we report our comprehensive study results on the expression levels of 4-1BB in patients with CHB.METHODS From September 2018 to June 2019,a total of 64 patients with CHB were recruited from the Department of Hepatology,The First Hospital of Jilin University.Peripheral blood samples were collected from 52 treatment-naïve and 12 entecavir-treated patients with CHB as well as 37 healthy donors(including 24 healthy adults and 13 healthy children).The levels of soluble 4-1BB(s4-1BB)in plasma were measured by ELISA.4-1BB mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by real-time quantitative PCR.RESULTS The s4-1BB levels in the plasma of patients with CHB were significantly higher than those in healthy adults(94.390±7.393 ng/mL vs 8.875±0.914 ng/mL,P<0.001).In addition,the s4-1BB level in plasma was significantly increased in patients with a higher viral load and a disease flare up.However,there were no significant differences between treatment-naïve and entecavir-treated patients.Interestingly,among treatment-naïve patients with CHB,the levels of s4-1BB in plasma had a significant positive correlation with hepatitis B surface antigen,hepatitis B virus DNA,hepatitis B e antigen,and triglyceride levels(r=0.748,P<0.001;r=0.406,P=0.004;r=0.356,P=0.019 and r=-0.469,P=0.007,respectively).The 4-1BB mRNA expression was higher in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with CHB than in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy adults,but the difference was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION These results suggest that the levels of s4-1BB may be associated with pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus and therefore may be a promising biomarker for disease progression.

Review on article of effects of tenofovir alafenamide and entecavir in chronic hepatitis B virus patients

This letter comments on the article which reported that tenofovir alafenamide may increase blood lipid levels compared with entecavir in patients with chronic hepatitis B published on World J Hepatol 2023 August 27.We review the related research content,topic selection,methodology,conclusions,strengths and weaknesses of this article.And evaluate it in relation to other published relevant articles.

Positive Rate of Different Hepatitis B Virus Serological Markers in Peking Union Medical College Hospital,a General Tertiary Hospital in Beijing

Objectives To investigate the positive rate of different hepatitis B virus （HBV） serological markers, and the demographic factors related to HBV infection. Methods We enrolled all patients tested for HBV serological markers, such as HBV surface antigen （HBsAg）, HBV surface antibody （HBsAb）, hepatitis B e antigen （HBeAg）, hepatitis B e antibody （HBeAb）, HBV core antibody （HBcAb）, and HBV-DNA from July 2008 to July 2009 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The positive rate of each HBV serological marker was calculated according to gender, age, and department, respectively. The positive rates of HBV-DNA among patients with positive HBsAg were also analyzed. Results Among 27 409 samples included, 2681 （9.8%） were HBsAg positive. When patients were divided into 9 age groups, the age-specific positive rate of HBsAg was 1.2%, 9.6%, 12.3%, 10.9%, 10.3%, 9.7%, 8.0%, 5.8%, and 4.3%, respectively. The positive rate of HBsAg in non-surgical department, surgical department, and health examination center was 16.2%, 5.8%, and 4.7%, respectively. The positive rate of HBsAg of males （13.3%） was higher than that of females （7.3%, P=0.000）. Among the 2681 HBsAg （＋） patients, 1230 （45.9%） had HBV-DNA test, of whom 564 （45.9%） were positive. Patients with HBsAg （＋）, HBeAg （＋）, and HBcAg （＋） result usually had high positive rate of HBV-DNA results （71.8%, P=0.000）. Conclusions Among this group of patients in our hospital, the positive rate of HBsAg was relatively high. Age group of 20-29, males, and patients in non-surgical departments were factors associated with high positive rate of HBsAg.

Tenofovir alafenamide significantly increased serum lipid levels compared with entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis B virus patients

BACKGROUND Tenofovir alafenamide(TAF)has a serum lipid-raising effect in patients with HIV;however,its effect on serum lipids and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)is unclear.AIM To compare the effects of TAF and entecavir(ETV)on serum lipid levels in patients with CHB.METHODS In this retrospective cohort study,the data including the clinical features,serum lipids,and metabolic factors of patients with CHB at baseline and approximately 1 year after TAF or ETV treatment were collected and analyzed.We used propensity score-matched models to assess the effects on high-density lipoprotein,lowdensity lipoprotein,triglycerides,and total cholesterol(TCHO).RESULTS A total of 336 patients(75.60%male)were included;63.69%received TAF and 36.31%received ETV.Compared with the ETV group,the TAF group had significantly higher TCHO levels after treatment(4.67±0.90 vs 4.36±1.05,P=0.006).In a propensity score-matched model for body mass index,age,sex,smoking,drinking,presence of comorbidities such as NAFLD,cirrhosis,diabetes mellitus,and hypertension,TAF-treated patients had significantly increased TCHO levels compared to that at baseline(P=0.019).There was no difference for the ETV group.Body mass index,sex,hypertension,baseline TCHO,and creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme levels were significantly associated with elevated TCHO levels in logistic regression analysis.However,1-year TAF treatment did not increase the incidence of NAFLD.CONCLUSION A greater increase in TCHO was observed in patients with CHB receiving TAF compared to those receiving ETV.However,TAF-induced dyslipidemia did not increase the incidence of NAFLD.

Comparative Assay of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection Markers by Different Assay Kits^1

In order to compare sensitivity of EIA and RIA assay kits for hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infection markers, 100 serum samples in total were collected form 50 adult women each in urban and rural areas in northeast China. The number of positive cases to the three infection markers on HBV (i.e., HBsAg +, anti HBs +, and anti HBc +) and the one on HCV (anti HCV +) were examined in two laboratories, i.e., in Laboratory A with EIA kits produced in China and in Laboratory B with RIA kits. HCV infection positivity (anti HCV +) was examined by EIA kits in both laboratories, but from different sources in and outside of China, respectively. The assay in Laboratory A gave 2 HBsAg + cases out of the 100 cases examined, whereas there were 9 positive cases in Laboratory B. In contrast, 19 cases were positive to anti HCV when examined in Laboratory A, and there were 3 cases in Laboratory B. Thus, the kits used in Laboratory A gave fewer HBsAg + and more anti HCV + cases than the kits used in Laboratory B. The prevalence of anti HBs + or anti HBc + and cases did not differ when assayed in the two laboratories with EIA and RIA kits, respectively. The agreement of positive and negative findings between the two sets of testing were 93%, 93%, 93%, 86% and 82% for HBsAg, anti HBs, anti HBc, HBV (i.e., either positive to anyone of the three markers or negative to all three markers), and anti HCV, respectively. The implication of the observation on epidemiology on HBV and HCV infection prevalence was discussed.

Serum thymosin β4 levels in patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver failure

AIM:To investigate whether serum thymosinβ4 can provide diagnostic or prognostic information in liver failure patients caused by chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection. METHODS:Serum thymosinβ4 levels were measured in 30 patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF), 31 patients with chronic liver failure(CLF),30 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis(CR)and 32 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 30 healthy controls.Serum thymosinβ4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)scores were calculated for each patient on admission.RESULTS:Compared with healthy controls,serum thymosinβ4 levels in ACLF,CLF,CR and chronic hepatitis B patients were significantly lower,6.5047 (4.7879-10.5314)μg/mL vs 0.4632(0.2759-0.8768) μg/mL,0.6981(0.5209-1.2008)μg/mL,1.8053 (0.8110-2.3397)μg/mL,3.7803(1.8570-6.4722)μg/mL, respectively(P<0.001).The levels of thymosinβ4 in liver failure(ACLF or CLF)patients were markedly lower than that in CR(P<0.001),and a difference was also found between CLF and ACLF patients(P=0.038).In patients with chronic liver disease,there was a positive relationship between thymosinβ4 levels and albumin, choline esterase,and platelet(P<0.001),and negative relationship with alanine aminotransferase(P=0.020), aspartate aminotransferase,total bilirubin,international normalized ratio of prothrombin time,and Child-Pugh and MELD scores(P<0.001).Of the 61 liver failure patients,the thymosinβ4 levels of non-survivors were significantly lower than that of survivors(P=0.007). Receiver operating characteristics analysis identified a thymosinβ4 cutoff level of 0.5708μg/mL for predicting poor prognosis in all liver failure patients.The serial thymosinβ4 values were observed in 13 liver failure inpatients.Lower initial values were observed in the death.While greater improvement in thymosinβ4 value was found in those who recovered from the disease. CONCLUSION:Serum thymosinβ4 can be used as an important potential predictor for liver failure caused by chronic HBV infection.

Modified model for end-stage liver disease improves shortterm prognosis of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

AIM To investigate whether the short-term prognosis of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF) could be improved by using a modified model for end-stage liver disease(MELD) including serum lactate.METHODS This clinical study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medicine University, China. From 2009 to 2015, 236 patients diagnosed with HBV-related ACLF at our center were recruited for this 3-month followup study. Demographic data and serum lactate levels were collected from the patients. The MELD scores with or without serum lactate levels from survival and nonsurvival groups were recorded and compared.RESULTS Two hundred and thirty-six patients with HBV-ACLF were divided into two groups: survival group(S) andnon-survival group(NS). Compared with the NS group, the patients in survival the S group had a significantly lower level of serum lactate(3.11 ± 1.98 vs 4.67 ± 2.43, t = 5.43, P < 0.001) and MELD score(23.33 ± 5.42 vs 30.37 ± 6.58, t = 9.01, P = 0.023). Furthermore, serum lactate level was positively correlated with MELD score(r = 0.315, P < 0.001). Therefore, a modified MELD including serum lactate was developed by logistic regression analysis(0.314 × lactate + 0.172 × MELD-5.923). In predicting 3-month mortality using the MELD-LAC model, the patients from the S group had significantly lower baseline scores(-0.930 ± 1.34) when compared with those from the NS group(0.771 ± 1.32, t = 9.735, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC) was 0.859 calculated by using the MELD-LAC model, which was significantly higher than that calculated by using the lactate level(0.790) or MELD alone(0.818). When the cutoff value was set at-0.4741, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for predicting short-term mortality were 91.5%, 80.10%, 94.34% and 74.62%, respectively. When the MELD-LAC scores at baseline level were set at-0.5561 and 0.6879, the corresponding mortality rates within three months were 75% and 90%, respectively.CONCLUSION The short-term prognosis of HBV-related ACLF was improved by using a modified MELD including serum lactate from the present 6-year clinical study.

Concordance of non-invasive mechanical and serum tests for liver fibrosis evaluation in chronic hepatitis C

AIM To determine the sensitivity and specificity of liver stiffness measurement(LSM) and serum markers(SM) for liver fibrosis evaluation in chronic hepatitis C.METHODS Between 2012 and 2014,81 consecutive hepatitis C virus(HCV) patients had METAVIR score from liver biopsy compared with concurrent results from LSM [transient elastography(TE) [FibroS can~/ARFI technology(Virtual Touch~)] and SM [FIB-4/aspartate aminotransferase-toplatelet ratio index(APRI)].The diagnostic performance of these tests was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.The optimal cut-off levels of each test were chosen to define fibrosis stages F ≥ 2,F ≥ 3 and F = 4.The Kappa index set the concordance analysis.RESULTS Fifty point six percent were female and the median age was 51 years(30-78).Fifty-six patients(70%) weretreatment-na?ve.The optimal cut-off values for predicting F ≥ 2 stage fibrosis assessed by TE were 6.6 kP a,for acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI) 1.22 m/s,for APRI 0.75 and for FIB-4 1.47.For F ≥ 3 TE was 8.9 kP a,ARFI was 1.48 m/s,APRI was 0.75,and FIB-4 was 2.For F = 4,TE was 12.2 kP a,ARFI was 1.77 m/s,APRI was 1.46,and FIB-4 was 3.91.The APRI could not distinguish between F2 and F3,P = 0.92.The negative predictive value for F = 4 for TE and ARFI was 100%.Kappa index values for F ≥ 3 METAVIR score for TE,ARFI and FIB-4 were 0.687,0.606 and 0.654,respectively.This demonstrates strong concordance between all three screening methods,and moderate to strong concordance between them and APRI(Kappa index = 0.507).CONCLUSION Given the costs and accessibility of LSM methods,and the similarity with the outcomes of SM,we suggest that FIB-4 as well as TE and ARFI may be useful indicators of the degree of liver fibrosis.This is of particular importance to developing countries.

Prognostic value of M30/M65 for outcome of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

AIM: To determine the prognostic value of circulating indicators of cell death in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as the single etiology. METHODS: Full length and caspase cleaved cytokeratin 18 (detected as M65 and M30 antigens) represent circulating indicators of necrosis and apoptosis. M65 and M30 were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 169 subjects including healthy controls (n = 33), patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n = 55) and patients with ACLF (n = 81). According to the 3-mo survival period, ACLF patients were defined as having spontaneous recovery (n = 33) and non-spontaneous recovery which included deceased patients and those who required liver transplantation (n = 48). RESULTS: Both biomarker levels significantly increased gradually as liver disease progressed (for M65: P < 0.001 for all; for M30: control vs CHB, P = 0.072; others: P < 0.001 for all). In contrast, the M30/M65 ratio was significantly higher in controls compared with CHB patients (P = 0.010) or ACLF patients (P < 0.001). In addition, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis demonstrated that both biomarkers had diagnostic value (AUC >= 0.80) in identifying ACLF from CHB patients. Interestingly, it is worth noting that the M30/M65 ratio was significantly different between spontaneous and non-spontaneous recovery in ACLF patients (P = 0.032). The prognostic value of the M30/M65 ratio was compared with the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Child-Pugh scores at the 3-mo survival period, the AUC of the M30/M65 ratio was 0.66 with a sensitivity of 52.9% and the highest specificity of 92.6% (MELD:AUC = 0.71; sensitivity, 79.4%; specificity, 63.0%; Child-Pugh: AUC = 0.77; sensitivity, 61.8%; specificity, 88.9%). CONCLUSION: M65 and M30 are strongly associated with liver disease severity. The M30/M65 ratio may be a potential prognostic marker for spontaneous recovery in patients with HBV-related ACLF. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.

Rapid quantification of hepatitis B virus DNA by real-time PCR using efficient TaqMan probe and extraction of virus DNA

AIM： To rapidly quantify hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA by real-time PCR using efficient TaqMan probe and extraction methods of virus DNA. METHODS： Three standards were prepared by cloning PCR products which targeted S, C and X region of HBV genome into pGEM-T vector respectively. A pair of primers and matched TaqMan probe were selected by comparing the copy number and the Ct values of HBV serum samples derived from the three different standard curves using certain serum DNA. Then the efficiency of six HBV DNA extraction methods including guanidinium isothiocyanate, proteinase K, NaI, NaOH lysis, alkaline lysis and simple boiling was analyzed in sample A, B and C by real-time PCR. Meanwhile, 8 clinical HBV serum samples were quantified. RESULTS： The copy number of the same HBV serum sample originated from the standard curve of S, C and X regions was 5.7 × 10^4/mL, 6.3 × 10^2/mL and 1.6 × 10^3/ mL respectively. The relative Ct value was 26.6, 31.8 and 29.5 respectively. Therefore, primers and matched probe from S region were chosen for further optimization of six extraction methods. The copy number of HBV serum samples A, B and C was 3.49 × 10^9/mL, 2.08 × 10^6/mL and 4.40 × 10^7/mL respectively, the relative Ct value was 19.9, 30 and 26.2 in the method of NaOH lysis, which was the efficientest among six methods. Simple boiling showed a slightly lower efficiency than NaOH lysis. Guanidinium isothiocyanate, proteinase K and NaI displayed that the copy number of HBV serum sample A, B and C was around 10^S/mL, meanwhile the Ct value was about 30. Alkaline failed to quantify the copy number of three HBV serum samples. Standard deviation （SD） and coefficient variation （CV） were very low in all 8 clinical HBV serum samples, showing that quantification of HBV DNA in triplicate was reliable and accurate. CONCLUSION： Real-time PCR based on optimized primers and TaqMan probe from S region in combination with NaOH lysis is a simple, rapid and accurate method for quantification of HBV serum DNA.

Matrix-derived serum markers in monitoring liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B treated with interferon alpha

To evaluate prospectively 4 selected serum fibrosis markers （tenascin, hyaluronan, collagen Ⅵ, TIMP-1） before, during and 12 mo after IFN treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS： Forty-seven consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B （range 4-16 years, mean 8 years） underwent IFN treatment （3 MU tiw for 20 wk）. Fibrosis stage and inflammation grade were assessed in a blinded fashion before and 12 mo after end of treatment. Serum fibrosis markers were determined using automated assays.RESULTS： IFN treatment improved histological inflammation but did not change fibrosis in the whole group or in subgroups. Only hyaluronan correlated significantly with histological fibrosis（r = 0.3383, P = 0.022）. Basal fibrosis markers did not differ between responders （42.5%） and nonresponders（57.5%）. During IFN treatment only serum tenascin decreased significantly in the whole group and in nonresponders. When pretreatment values were compared to values 12 mo after therapy, TIMP-1 increased in all patients and in nonresponders, and hyaluronan decreased in all patients and in responders.CONCLUSION： Tenascin reflects hepatic fibrogenesis and inflammation which decreases during IFN treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B. TIMP-1 correlates with nonresponse and hyaluronan with histological fibrosis.

sFRP-4, a potential novel serum marker for chronic hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND：The current methods used for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）are unsatisfactory.Here,we assessed the serum levels of secreted frizzled related protein 4（s FRP-4）for diagnosing HCC in patients infected with chronic hepatitis B（CHB）.METHODS：In 272 patients with CHB enrolled,142 were pa tients with HCC.Thirty-three healthy subjects were recruited as healthy controls.The CHB patients were assigned to a test group or a validation group based on the time of enrollment. Human antibody arrays were used to screen 15 patients （8 CHB-related HCC patients, 7 CHB patients） for serum mark- ers. Four markers and one candidate marker were assessed in the test group and validation group, respectively. RESULTS： Human antibody assays indicated that the serum levels of sFRP-4 in HCC patients were significantly higher than those in CHB patients （P〈0,05）. Additionally, serum sFRP-4 levels were significantly higher in the HCC patients than those in the non-HCC patients in both test group （79.7 vs 41.3 ng/mL; P〈0.001） and validation group （89.0 vs 39.0 ng/mL; P〈0.001）. Areas under the Receiver Operating Charac- teristic curves （AUCs） for alpha-fetoprotein （AFP） and sFRP-4 were similar in both test group and validation group. In the test group, the combination of sFRP-4 （a sensitivity of 94.4%, a specificity of 60.5% at 46.4 ng/mL） and AFP （a sensitivity of 75.0%, a specificity of 87.2% at 11.3 ng/mL） showed better performance for diagnosing HCC （a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 95.3%）. The AUC for combined sFRP-4 and AFP increased to 0.941 （95% CI： 0.908-0.975）, and similar results were seen in the validation group. CONCLUSION： sFRP-4 is a candidate serum marker for diagnosing HCC in CHB patients, and the combination of sFRP-4 with AFP may improve the diagnostic accuracy of HCC.

A Comparative Study on Serum PreS2 and Polymerized Human Serum Albumin Binding Activity in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Antiserum against PreS2 peptide was raised with a synthetic polypeptide from the rabbits.The anti-preS2 antibody and polymerized human serum albumin were used as reagents in aradioimmunoassay to detect preS2 and polymerized human serum albumin bindingactivity respectively. Both were absent in patients with hepatitis A or HBsAg negative chronic liver di-seases. In biopsy - proven patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH)B, prevalences of bothmarkers were significantly higher at exacerbation that at remission stage of the disease, and so werein CAH than in chronic asymptomatic HBV carrier (AsC) with normal histology. Besides, the pre-valences were significantly higher in HBeAg positive group than in anti-HBe positive group.However, the polymerized human serum albumin binding activity and the preS2 were undoubtedlynot the same, as the prevalence of the latter was only 56.7% of the former.

Safety and efficacy of oral HD-03/ES given for six months in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

AIM： To investigate the safety and efficacy of the formulation HD-03/ES capsules in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.METHODS： A total of 25 patients were recruited to the study and were given HD-03/ES, two capsules twice daily for six months. Clinical assessment of symptoms and signs were done using the ＂clinical observation table＂ once a month before and after the treatment. Biochemical investigations of total bilirubin, ALT, AST, serum protein for liver function tests were done every month after initiating treatment. Serum was analyzed for HBV markers for HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA at baseline, 4 and 6 mo alter therapy using ELISA kits from Roche.RESULTS： After 6 mo of therapy with HD-03/ES, a significant reduction of ALT values from 66.5 ± 11.1 to 39.1 ± 5.2 （P 〈 0.01） and a significant HBsAg loss （52%, P 〈 0.001）, HBeAg loss （60%, P 〈 0.05） and HBV DNA loss （60%, P 〈 0.05） was observed. Adverse effects were mild and never warranted withdrawal of the drug.CONCLUSION： The results of this pilot study indicate that HD-03/ES might be a safe and effective treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection and a long-term multicentric comparator trial is warranted and under way.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated risk factors among adult females infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Ogun State,Nigeria

Background:Hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa,including Nigeria,and is frequently observed in individuals co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).Objective:This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of serological markers for hepatitis B virus and identify the associated risk factors among women with HIV undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART)in Ogun State,Nigeria.Methods:Ethical approval was obtained from the Babcock University Health Research Ethics Committee(BUHREC)to recruit a total of 110 adult women infected with HIV,receiving treatment at the HIV clinics of Babcock University Teaching Hospital(BUTH)in Ilishan-Remo and General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode,both located in Ogun State,Nigeria.The participants’HIV status were confirmed using three rapid diagnostic kits:Determine(Abbott Laboratories,Tokyo,Japan),Unigold HIV(Trinity Biotech Plc Bray,Co.Wicklow,Ireland),and 1/2 Stat Pak(Abbott Laboratories,Tokyo,Japan)(Chembio Diagnostic Systems,New York,USA).Additionally,an HBV 5 in 1 Panel manufactured by Innovation Biotechnology Co.,Ltd in Beijing,China,was employed to detect HBV markers qualitatively in serum samples.Results:Out of the 110 subjects that voluntarily participated in the study,4(3.6%)tested positive for HBsAg,2(1.8%)tested positive for HBsAb,81(73.6%)tested positive for HBeAg,3(2.7%)tested positive for HBeAb,and 65(59.1%)tested positive for HBcAb.There was no significant correlation between the occurrence of HBsAg and the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants(P>0.05).Various risk factors were identified,including lack of knowledge about HBV,absence of HBV vaccination history,history of blood transfusion,organ transplant,and engaging in unprotected sex,among others.Conclusion:The findings highlight the presence of HBV infection among HIV-positive women undergoing HAART in Ogun State,Nigeria,particularly within the age groups of 18–25 years and 26–30 years.These results emphasize the necessity for continuous and targeted public health interventions among this specific population.

Antiviral treatment standards for hepatitis B:An urgent need for expansion

The present letter to the editor is related to the review with the title“Past,present,and future of long-term treatment for hepatitis B virus.”Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)represents an important and pressing public health concern.Timely identification and effective antiviral therapy hold the potential to reduce liver-related mortality attributable to chronic infection with hepatitis B virus(HBV)substantially.However,the current global treatment rates for CHB remain conspicuously low,with the excessively stringent treatment criteria advocated by national CHB guidelines being a contributing factor to these low rates.Nevertheless,recent strides in comprehending this malady and the emergence of novel antiviral agents prompt the imperative re-evaluation of treatment standards to extend the sphere of potential beneficiaries.An impending need arises for a novel paradigm for the classification of patients with CHB,the expansion of antiviral treatment eligibility for HBV-infected individuals,and even the streamlining of the diagnostic process for CHB to amplify cost-effectiveness and augment survival prospects.

Staging of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients with a composite predictive model:A comparative study

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of 6 noninvasive liver fibrosis models and to identify the most valuable model for the prediction of liver fibrosis stage in chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients.METHODS:Seventy-eight CHB patients were consecutively enrolled in this study.Liver biopsy was performed and blood serum was obtained at admission.Histological diagnosis was made according to the METAVIR system.Significant fibrosis was defined as stage score ≥ 2,severe fibrosis as stage score ≥ 3.The diagnostic accuracy of 6 noninvasive liver fibrosis models,including serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST) to platelet ratio index(APRI),FIB-4,Forn's index,Fibrometer,Hepascore,and Shanghai Liver Fibrosis Group's index(SLFG),was investigated.RESULTS:The APRI,FIB-4 and Forn's index under receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC) for sig-nificant fibrosis were 0.71,0.75 and 0.79,respectively,with a diagnosis accuracy of 67%,77% and 80%,respectively,and 0.80,0.87 and 0.86,respectively,under the AUROC for severe fibrosis.The Hepascore,SLFG,and Fibrometer were 0.80,0.83 and 0.85,respectively under the AUROC for significant fibrosis(P < 0.01).The diagnosis accuracy of Hepascore and SLFG was 86% and 88%,respectively.The Hepascore,SLFG,and Fibrometer were 0.95,0.93,and 0.94,respectively,under the AUROC for severe fibrosis(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:The models containing direct serum markers have a better diagnostic value than those not containing direct serum markers.

Natural course of chronic hepatitis B is characterized by changing patterns of programmed death type-1 of CD8-positive T cells

AIM:To investigate if and how programmed death type-1(PD-1)expression affects the natural course of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection. METHODS:Sixty-four patients in different natural stages of chronic HBV infection were enrolled in this study.PD-1 expression in total T cells was detected by flow cytometry.Levels of total CD8+T cell responses and proliferation in relation to PD-1 expression levels were analyzed with intracellular staining and PD-1/ PD-L1 blockage. RESULTS:The PD-1 expression in T cells was dynamically changed during the natural course of chronic HBV infection,did not significantly increase in the immune tolerance phase,and returned to normal in the inactive virus carrier stage.Blockage of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway could not affect the T-cell response in the immune tolerance and inactive virus carrier stages of chronic HBV infection.However,it could significantly restore the T-cell response in the immune clearance stage of chronic HBV infection.Furthermore,the PD-1 expression level in T cells was associated with the alanine aminotransferase level during the immune clearance stage of chronic HBV infection. CONCLUSION:The PD-l/PD-L1 pathway plays a different role in T-cell response during the natural course of chronic HBV infection.

Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive picture of the role,clinical applications and future perspectives of the most widely used non-invasive techniques for the evaluation of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection.During the past decade many non-invasive methods have been developed to reduce the need for liver biopsy in staging fibrosis and to overcome whenever possible its limitations,mainly:invasiveness,costs,low reproducibility,poor acceptance by patients.Elastographic techniques conceived to assess liver stiffness,in particular transient elastography,and the most commonly used biological markers will be assessed against their respective role and limitations in staging hepatic fibrosis.Recent evidence highlights that both liver stiffness and some bio-chemical markers correlatewith survival and major clinical end-points such as liver decompensation,development of hepatocellular carcinoma and portal hypertension.Thus the non-invasive techniques here discussed can play a major role in the management of patients with chronic HBV-related hepatitis.Given their prognostic value,transient elastography and some bio-chemical markers can be used to better categorize patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis and assign them to different classes of risk for clinically relevant outcomes.Very recent data indicates that the combined measurements of liver and spleen stiffness enable the reliable prediction of portal hypertension and esophageal varices development.

Noninvasive assessment of liver damage in chronic hepatitis B

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of the aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index(APRI)and neutrophillymphocyte(N/L)ratio to predict liver damage in chronic hepatitis B(CHB).METHODS:We analyzed 89 patients diagnosed with CHB by percutaneous liver biopsy and 43 healthy subjects.Liver biopsy materials were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome.Patients’fibrosis scores and histological activity index(HAI)were calculated according to the Ishak scoring system.Fibrosis score was recognized as follows:F0-1 No/early-stage fibrosis,F2-6 significant fibrosis,F0-4 non-cirrhotic and F5-6 cirrhotic.Significant liver fibrosis was defined as an Ishak score of≥2.APRI and N/L ratio calculation was made by blood test results.RESULTS:The hepatitis B and control group showed no difference in N/L ratios while there was a significant difference in terms of APRI scores(P<0.001).Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the only independent predictive factor for liver fibrosis in CHB was platelet count.APRI score was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in non-cirrhotic patients.However,this significance was not confirmed by multiple logistic regression analysis.The optimum APRI score cut-off point to identify patients with cirrhosis was 1.01with sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 62%(36%-86%),74%(62%-83%),29%(13%-49%)and 92%(82%-97%),respectively.In addition,correlation analyses revealed that N/L ratio has a negative and significant relationship with HAI(r=-0.218,P=0.041).CONCLUSION:N/L ratio was negatively correlated with HAI.APRI score may be useful to exclude cirrhosis in CHB patients.