Abstract

Background/Aims
HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has a poor long-term prognosis. Since no precise clinically relevant HBV thresholds are known in HBeAg-negative CHB, the decision to treat is difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of serum HBV DNA and transaminase and to investigate the correlation of these values in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB. Methods: The study analyzed the sera from 82 patients with HBeAg-negative CHB, 61 men and 21 women. The mean age was 45 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to serum ALT levels: the patients with lower ALT level (n=52, UNL5 copies/mL in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB. The median serum HBV DNA level of patients with a higher ALT level (1.0×10⁶ copies/mL) was significantly higher than that of patients with a lower ALT level (5.6×10⁴ copies/mL)(p<0.001). The serum ALT level was correlated with serum HBV DNA levels in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB (r=0.416, p<0.001). The serum level of HBV DNA in patients with cirrhosis (median 2.0×10⁵ copies/mL) did not differ from patients without cirrhosis (median 4.7×10⁵ copies/mL). Conclusions: The level of serum HBV DNA was higher in patients with higher serum ALT level than it was in patients with lower serum ALT, and it was closely correlated with serum ALT levels in HBeAg-negative CHB.(Korean J Hepatol 2003;9:284-292)

• Keywords: Hepatitis/Viral/Chronic hepatitis B, HBeAg-negative, Inactive HBsAg carrier, HBV DNA