Role of occult hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis C patients with flare of liver enzymes

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http://www.ejinme.com/article/PIIS0953620510002372/abstract?rss=yes

Role of occult hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis C patients with flare of

liver enzymes

Received 16 August 2010; received in revised form 28 October 2010; accepted 1

December 2010. published online 18 January 2011.

Abstract

Background

Occult HBV infection is defined by detection of HBV DNA in the serum or liver

tissue of patients who test negative for HBsAg. The prevalence of occult HBV is

higher in hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive patients than HCV negative patients

and may have an impact on their clinical outcome. In this study, we evaluated

the role of occult hepatitis B virus infection in chronic hepatitis C patients

with ALT flare.

Methods

Sixty HBsAg negative patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were

included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their ALT level: 30

patients with normal or slightly high ALT and 30 patients with ALT flare (™5

times normal values). Patients in both groups were examined for the detection of

anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, and anti-HBc IgG. HBV DNA was detected using semi-nested

PCR technique.

Results

In patients with normal or slightly high ALT, HBV DNA was detected in 4 (13.3%)

patients, while in those with ALT flare, HBV DNA was detected in 19 (63.3%)

patients (p<0.001). No association was found between the presence of HBV DNA and

various serology markers of HBV infection.

Conclusion

Presence of occult hepatitis B, with its added deleterious effect, must always

be considered in chronic hepatitis C patients especially those with flare in

liver enzymes; HBsAg should not be used alone for the diagnosis of HBV

infection.

[Guest guest]

http://www.ejinme.com/article/PIIS0953620510002372/abstract?rss=yes

Role of occult hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis C patients with flare of

liver enzymes

Received 16 August 2010; received in revised form 28 October 2010; accepted 1

December 2010. published online 18 January 2011.

Abstract

Background

Occult HBV infection is defined by detection of HBV DNA in the serum or liver

tissue of patients who test negative for HBsAg. The prevalence of occult HBV is

higher in hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive patients than HCV negative patients

and may have an impact on their clinical outcome. In this study, we evaluated

the role of occult hepatitis B virus infection in chronic hepatitis C patients

with ALT flare.

Methods

Sixty HBsAg negative patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were

included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their ALT level: 30

patients with normal or slightly high ALT and 30 patients with ALT flare (™5

times normal values). Patients in both groups were examined for the detection of

anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, and anti-HBc IgG. HBV DNA was detected using semi-nested

PCR technique.

Results

In patients with normal or slightly high ALT, HBV DNA was detected in 4 (13.3%)

patients, while in those with ALT flare, HBV DNA was detected in 19 (63.3%)

patients (p<0.001). No association was found between the presence of HBV DNA and

various serology markers of HBV infection.

Conclusion

Presence of occult hepatitis B, with its added deleterious effect, must always

be considered in chronic hepatitis C patients especially those with flare in

liver enzymes; HBsAg should not be used alone for the diagnosis of HBV

infection.