New findings in hepatitis B virus described from University of Athens
December 22nd, 2008
2008 DEC 22 -- According to recent research published in the journal Hepatology, "The diagnosis of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B indicating therapeutic intervention currently requires serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA >= 2,000 IU/mL. We evaluated the severity of liver histology and the presence of histological indication for treatment in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection focusing on those with low viremia and/or normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT)."
"In total, 399 patients with increased ALT and detectable serum HBV DNA (chronic hepatitis B patients) and 35 cases with persistently normal ALT and HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL (inactive carriers) were included. Histological indication for treatment (grading score >= 7 and/or stage >= 2 in Ishak's classification) was found in 91% (185/203), 82% (75/91), 75% (47/63), and 62% (26/42) of chronic hepatitis B patients with HBV DNA >= 200,000, 20,000-199,999, 2,000-19,999, and <2,000 IU/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). Histological indication for treatment was more frequent in chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently elevated ALT (86% or 275/321), but it was also found in 74% (58/78) of those with transiently normal ALT (P = 0.025). All inactive carriers had HBV DNA <20,000 IU/mL. Histological indication for treatment was present in 17% (6/35) of inactive carriers always due to moderate (stage 2) fibrosis without active necroinflammation," wrote G.V. Papatheodoridis and colleagues, University of Athens.
The researchers concluded: "HBeAg-negative chronic HBV patients with persistently or transiently increased ALT and HBV DNA >= 20,000 IU/mL almost always require therapeutic intervention, but histological indications for treatment are also present in the majority of such cases with HBV DNA < 20,000 and even < 2,000 IU/mL. In contrast, minimal histological lesions are observed in the majority of HBeAg-negative patients with persistently normal ALT and HBV DNA > 2,000 IU/mL, who may not require immediate liver biopsy and treatment but only close follow-up. (HEPATOLOGY 2008;48:1451-1459.)'."
Papatheodoridis and colleagues published their study in Hepatology (Is There a Meaningful Serum Hepatitis B Virus DNA Cutoff Level for Therapeutic Decisions in Hepatitis B e Antigen-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection? Hepatology, 2008;48(5):1451-1459).
For additional information, contact G.V. Papatheodoridis, University of Athens, School Medical, Hippokration General Hospital Athens, Dept. of Internal Medicine 2, 114 Vat Sophias Avenue, GR-11527 Athens, Greece.
The publisher's contact information for the journal Hepatology is: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.
Keywords: Greece, Athens, Aminotransferase, Chronic Hepatitis B, DNA, Enzyme Research, Gastroenterology, HBV, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatology, Infectious Disease, Liver Histology, Therapy, Treatment, Virology, University of Athens.
This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
