Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA by the polymerase chain reaction in anti-HBE positive chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract

Detection of HBV-DNA by PCR was compared with other serological markers (HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBe) in a series of49 Chronic Hepatitis B patients, including 12 with a spontaneous clearance of HBsAg. None of these HBsAg negative cases were PCR positive, but 33/37 (89.2%) HBsAg positive cases were PCR positive (p < 0.0001). Among HBsAg positive samples, nine cases were HBeAg positive and anti-HBe negative, all of them PCR positive. Other 3 patients were HBeAg and anti-HBe positive and these cases were also found PCR positive. A third group included 21 patients anti-HBe positive and HBeAg negative: 19 of them were PCR positive and 2 were PCR negative. The last 4 cases were HBeAg and anti-HBe negative, two of them were PCR positive. The detection of anti-HBe viremic cases in the present series suggest that preC variants could occur in our country. In conclusion, the integrated phase o f chronic hepatitis B seems to be less frequent than it was assumed, when only HBeAg or dot blot hybridization techniques were used. The new term "low replication phase" might favorably replace the former "integrated phase".<br>A detecção do DNA do Vírus da Hepatite B pela Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) foi comparada com os outros marcadores sorológicos virais (AgHBs, AgHBe e anti-HBe) numa série de 49 pacientes com hepatite crônica B, incluindo 12 que apresentaram clareamento espontâneo do AgHBs. Nenhum caso AgHBs negativo foi PCR positivo, mas 33/37 (89,2%) dos casos AgHBs positivos foram PCR positivos (p < 0,0001). Entre as amostras AgHBs positivas, 9 foram AgHBc positivas e anti-HBe negativas, todas elas PCR positivas. Outros 3 pacientes foram AgHBe e anti-HBe positivos, todos também PCR positivos. Um terceiro grupo incluía 21 pacientes anti-HBe positivos e anti-HBe negativos: 19 foram PCR positivos e 2 PCR negativos. Os últimos 4 casos foram AgHBe e anti-HBe negativos, sendo 2 destes PCR positivos. A detecção de casos virêmicos anti-HBe positivos sugere que as variantes preC do VHB podem também estar presentes em nosso país. Em conclusão, a "fase de integração viral" da hepatite crônica B parece ser muito menos frequente do que se imaginava previamente, quando apenas se dispunha das técnicas de detecção de AgHBe e DNA por hibridização. O novo termo "fase de baixa replicação baixa" parece ser melhor que o anterior "fase de integração viral"

The precore mutation is associated with severity of liver damage in Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis B

“…In Brazil, the prevalence of this mutation is still unknown. A previous study in which hepatitis B virus DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in anti-HBe positive Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis B suggested that infection by viral variant precore mutations could occur in our country (Pinho et al, 1993).…”

Low occurrence of occult hepatitis B virus infection and high frequency of hepatitis C virus genotype 3 in hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil

“…The detection limit for RT-PCR was 50 IU/mL. This method was validated by comparison with results obtained from Quest Diagnostics (Sonora, CA, USA) and from a nested HBV DNA PCR protocol carried out by our group (32).…”

Hepatitis B genotype G and high frequency of lamivudine-resistance mutations among human immunodeficiencyvirus/hepatitis B virus co-infected patients in Brazil

“…HBV DNA detection by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -HBV DNA was detected by nested PCr as previously described (Pinho et al 1993). Briefly, serum samples (10 μL) were denatured with 2.5 μL of 0.5 M NaOH and incubated at 37 o C for 1 h. Samples were neutralized with 2.5 μL of 0.5 M HCl.…”