实时定量RT-PCR对乙型肝炎病毒全长RNA(fRNA)的定量检测

目的:建立一种简便的定量检测慢性乙型肝炎患者血清中终止于聚腺苷酸化位点的乙型肝炎病毒全长RNA(f RNA)的方法。方法:选取53例未治疗的乙型肝炎患者及22例HBs Ag阴性的健康者为研究对象,使用锚定oligo-d T的引物对其血清中f RNA进行实时定量反转录PCR检测,统计分析其与HBV DNA、HBcr Ag和HBe Ag的相关性。结果:对f RNA进行实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测的下线为2.3 log copies/ml,标准曲线的相关系数为0.99(P0.0001)。53例乙型肝炎患者中,29例(54.7%)可以检测到f RNA,22例正常对照中没有检测到f RNA。27例HBe Ag阳性和/或高水平HBV DNA的患者全部检测到f RNA,26例HBe Ag阴性并且低水平HBV DNA的乙型肝炎患者中有2例(7.7%)检测到f RNA(P0.0001)。HBe Ag阳性患者血清中f RNA水平高于HBe Ag阴性患者(5.0±0.3 vs.2.9±0.4 log copies/ml,P0.001)。f RNA与HBV DNA/HBcr Ag具有显著相关性(r=0.905、0.881,P0.0001)。Hayashi's定量分析法I显示f RNA与HBV DNA相关性强于其与HBcr Ag的相关性。结论:与HBV DNA和HBe Ag一样,f RNA可作为常规检测判断HBV的复制水平并指导用药。     

乙型肝炎病毒B,C基因型引起的慢性乙型肝炎患者特异性、非特异性细胞免疫比较

对138例CHB患者进行HBV基因分型,检测非特异性CTL,HBV特异性CTL,肝功能,HBVDNA,HBVM(HBsAg,抗-HBs,HBeAg,抗-HBe,抗-HBc).结果显示,C基因型感染者,非特异性CTL((19.91±6.01)%)高于B基因型感染者((16.12±3.12)%),t=3.05,P<0.01,HBVDNA水平((6.25±0.81)log10拷贝/mL)高于B基因型感染者((5.02±0.61)log10拷贝/mL),t=6.03,P<0.01,HBeAg阳性46例(74.19%),高于B基因型感染者(39例,占52%),χ2=7.09,P<0.01,丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ATL)、血清总胆红素(TBIL)水平(分别为(507.15±312.17)IU/L和(46.10±40.18)μmol/L)高于B基因型感染者(分别为(290.05±215.12)IU/L和(29.12±17.12)μmol/L),t=3.76,2.29,P<0.01,P<0.05.C基因型感染者的HBV特异性CTL((0.21±0.05)%),低于B基因型感染者((0.39±0.12)%),t=5.61,P<0....     

HBsAg定量检测在慢性乙型肝炎自然病程中的意义

目的 研究慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染自然病程中HBsAg水平变化情况以及和HBV DNA的关系.方法 将183名HBV感染者按感染的不同阶段分为免疫耐受期(IT)42例,免疫清除期(IC)46例,非/低水平复制期(LR)57例,和再活动期(HBeAg阴性肝炎组ENH)38例,回顾性分析每个阶段血清中HBsAg和HBV DNA水平以及两者之间的关系.结果 HBsAg含量分别为IT期最高[(3.81±0.46) Ig IU/mL],其次为IC期[(3.41±0.77) Ig IU/mL],最低是LR期[(2.87±0.61)Ig0.61IU/mL],每期之间HBsAg含量差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),ENH组HBsAg含量又有所升高[(3.31 ±0.78)Ig IU/mL].IT期HBsAg与HBV DNA无相关(r=0.231,P＞0.05),IC期HBsAg与HBV DNA呈正相关(r=0.612,P＜0.05),ENH期两者无相关(r=0.189,P＞0.05);不同时期HBsAg含量与ALT均无相关性.结论 HBV感染的不同阶段HBsAg水平有差异,IT期最高,进入IC期后开始下降,在LR期降至最低,ENH期再度升高,HBsAg与HBV DNA仅在IC期有相关性,血清HBsAg的表达与不同的免疫背景有关.     

基线血清外泌体miR-155-5p联合乙型肝炎病毒DNA定量实验预测聚乙二醇干扰素治疗乙型肝炎e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效

探讨聚乙二醇干扰素(peginterferon, Peg-IFN)治疗乙型肝炎e抗原(hepatitis B e antigen, HBeAg)阳性慢性乙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis B, CHB)患者48周后,基线血清外泌体miR-155-5p表达水平联合乙型肝炎病毒DNA定量实验在预测HBeAg血清学转换中的价值。回顾性分析2016年6月至2019年6月在本中心初次接受抗病毒治疗的HBeAg阳性CHB患者88例。根据Peg-IFN治疗48周后是否发生HBeAg血清学转换,将患者分为治疗应答组和无应答组。采用多因素logistic回归探讨预测Peg-IFN治疗应答的因子,并应用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic, ROC)曲线下面积评估预测效能。结果发现基线血清外泌体miR-155-5p(OR＝2.193,95% CI 1.315～3.655,P＝0.003)和HBV DNA(OR＝0.398,95% CI 0.163～0.976,P＝0.036)是Peg-IFN治疗效果的独立预测因子。基线血清外泌体miR-155-5p和HBV DNA的截断值分别取2.3和7.2 log₁₀IU/mL时,相应的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.788(95% CI 0.682～0.893)和0.704(95% CI 0.577～0.824)。基线血清外泌体miR-155-5p表达水平≥2.3且HBV DNA定量≤7.2 log₁₀IU/mL的患者,Peg-IFN治疗48周后其HBeAg血清学转换率最高,为66.67% (10/15);而基线血清外泌体miR-155-5p表达水平<2.3且HBV DNA定量>7.2 log₁₀IU/mL的患者,Peg-IFN 治疗48周后其HBeAg血清学转换率最低,仅为3.03%(1/33)。这些结果表明,基线血清外泌体miR-155-5p表达水平联合HBV DNA定量实验可以作为Peg-IFN 治疗HBeAg阳性CHB疗效的预测因子,对于优化CHB的抗病毒治疗有积极作用。     

I b 型慢性丙肝患者血清IL-10、IL-12 水平 与HCV-RNA 载量关系的研究*

目的:研究I b型慢性丙肝患者血清IL-10、IL-12水平与HCV-RNA载量的关系,探讨难治性丙肝的免疫发病机制。方法:选取HCV-RNA阳性的I b型慢性丙肝患者48例,依据病毒载量将其分为三个组,低病毒载量组(1.0*103IU/mL1.0*106IU/mL)13例,另选HCV-RNA阴性的慢性HCV感染者15例,健康献血员15例作为对照组;应用ELISA法检测所有研究对象的血清IL-10、IL-12水平。结果:慢性丙肝患者外周血IL-10水平显著高于健康献血员(P=0.003),IL-12水平低于健康献血员(P=0.045);随着HCV-RNA载量的升高,HCV-RNA阳性的I b型慢性患者外周血IL-10水平逐渐升高,组间比较差异具有统计学意义(F=18.65,P=0.000);血清HCV-RNA载量与血清IL-10水平呈正相关(相关系数r=0.71,P=0.000),与血清IL-12水平无相关性(P=0.479)。结论:慢性HCV感染者与患者的细胞免疫均倾向于TH2型;I b型慢性丙肝患者外周血IL-10水平与HCV-RNA病毒载量呈正相关。     

HBV相关肝纤维化小鼠模型的建立及关键表型深度分析研究

目的 探索HBV感染所致肝纤维化小鼠模型形成条件及表型分析。方法 以18只CBA/CaJ小鼠为研究对象,随机分为对照组(n=4)和实验组(n=14),实验组按照每只2μg的剂量、通过高压水动力方法进行尾静脉注射cccDNA,对照组注射等体积PBS,转染68周后采样。通过qPCR方法检测肝中HBV DNA及HBV cccDNA,ELISA方法检测血清HBsAg、HBeAg,免疫组化检测肝组织中HBsAg、HBcAg,用一代测序法检测HBeAg⁺/HBsAg^-及HBeAg^-/HBsAg⁺组织DNA基因测序,生化分析ALT和AST,HE染色、天狼星染色及Masson染色分析肝组织病理。结果 实验组中,100%的小鼠HBV-DNA拷贝数高于1000 copies/mL;小鼠肝组织cccDNA拷贝数显著高于空白组(P<0.05);42.9%的小鼠血清HBsAg和HBeAg呈阳性;60%的小鼠肝HBsAg呈阳性和26.7%的小鼠肝HBcAg呈阳性;HBeAg^-/HBsAg^+...     

抗原抗体复合物型治疗性疫苗(乙克)临床研究中患者血清乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原下降的分析与启示

近年来全球慢性乙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis B,CHB)防治指南提出了“功能性治愈”(functional cure)的概念,即患者经过治疗达到血清乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(hepatitis B virus surface antigen,HBsAg)消失,但现有抗病毒治疗很难实现这一目标。本研究对既往临床试验中经抗原抗体复合物型治疗性疫苗(乙克)治疗后的CHB患者HBsAg下降情况进行了归纳分析,结果显示,经乙克治疗随访后达到乙型肝炎e抗原(hepatitis B e antigen,HBeAg)血清学转换者的HBsAg下降高达0.95log₁₀IU/mL,显著高于未达到HBeAg血清学转换者的0.32log₁₀IU/mL(P<0.01),而经氢氧化铝佐剂治疗随访后发生HBeAg血清学转换(0.49log₁₀IU/mL)者与未发生HBeAg血清学转换者(0.36log₁₀IU/mL)之间HBsAg下降无统计学差异。乙克组治疗过程中,丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)骤升(ALT flare)在HBsAg下降>1.0log₁₀IU/mL者中较多见,氢氧化铝组未观察到此现象。回归分析显示,乙克治疗后HBsAg下降的影响因素有患者出现HBeAg血清学转换、感染的HBV为B基因型、治疗过程中ALT出现10倍增高,以及基线血清HBsAg为高水平。结果提示,乙克诱导的特异性免疫对降低CHB患者血清HBsAg水平有一定效果,采用“抗病毒药物治疗＋针对HBsAg的中和性抗体被动免疫＋乙克主动免疫”的“三明治”治疗策略可能会提高“功能性治愈”率。     

2010年舟山某医院拉米夫定无良好应答乙肝患者耐药监测分析

目的观察2010年舟山某医院拉米夫定单药治疗无良好应答的乙肝患者其基因型和P区耐药位点突变的关系。方法随机选取舟山某医院就诊的124例拉米夫定单药治疗无良好应答的本地乙肝患者,男64例,女60例,平均年龄(46.92±15.16)岁,用实时荧光定量PCR检测其基因型和HBV-DNA,并用毛细管电泳测序技术对P区进行突变位点检测。结果 124例患者35例(28.23%)B型和89例(71.77%)C基因型。C型HBV-DNA为(5.83±0.91)log10 copies/mL,高于B型的(5.07±1.13)log10 copies/mL,差异具有统计学意义(t=3.55,P<0.01)。拉米夫定在B基因型中的耐药率为45.71%(16/35),低于C基因型的65.17%(58/89),差异具有统计学意义(2χ=3.951,P<0.05)。拉米夫定耐药株在B基因型中rtM204 I/V/S位点突变率为68.75%(11/16),高于C基因型的37.93%(22/58),差异具有统计学意义(2χ=4.821,P<0.05)。结论对于本地区拉米夫定治疗无良好应答的C基因乙肝患者,应加强拉米夫定的耐药位点筛查,而拉米夫定治疗无良好应答的B基因乙肝患者应加强rtM204 I/V/S位点检测。     

血清泌乳素水平对泌乳素瘤患者的临床价值研究

目的:分析术前血清泌乳素水平对泌乳素瘤患者的临床价值。方法:选择2011年1月至2016年12月于青岛大学附属医院行垂体腺瘤切除术且术前测得泌乳素(prolactin,PRL)水平、术后行病理免疫组化染色的垂体腺瘤164例,通过Spearman相关分析PRL水平与肿瘤大小的相关性,通过Kappa值判断PRL水平与病理诊断的一致性。采用ROC曲线获得PRL水平最佳临床诊断临界值。结果:(1)164例垂体瘤患者中,病理诊断单激素PRL瘤25例,主要表现为男性性功能低下及头痛、头晕,女性月经紊乱、闭经、泌乳;(2)术前PRL水平与年龄、性别无显著相关性(P均0.05),与肿瘤大小呈中度正相关(r=0.530,P0.05);(3)以正常范围上限值(23.3 ng/m L)为基线,分别以PRL23.3 ng/mL(1倍)、46.6 ng/m L(2倍)、69.9 ng/ml(3倍)、100 ng/mL、150 ng/m L、200 ng/mL为诊断标准,与病理免疫组化的一致性分析显示PRL69.9ng/m L作为诊断标准时符合率和Kappa系数最高,分别为82.3%和0.533;(4)以病理免疫组化作为诊断金标准作泌乳素瘤ROC曲线,以血清PRL为69.785 ng/m L作为诊断标准时,曲线下面积最大,此时符合率和Kappa系数分别为82.3%和0.553,灵敏度49.1%,特异度98.3%。结论:泌乳素瘤血清学诊断与病理免疫组化诊断一致性较高,血清PRL水平69.9 ng/mL(3倍于正常上限值)是诊断泌乳素瘤的最佳参考值。     

乙型肝炎病毒e抗原定量检测的性能验证和临床应用探索

乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(hepatitis B e antigen, HBeAg)的定量检测对乙型肝炎临床诊疗具有一定的重要性,但其定量检测还未成为常规检验项目。本研究对HBeAg定量检测系统进行性能验证,比较HBeAg定量和定性检测的相关性和一致性,分析HBeAg定量结果和乙型肝炎病毒DNA(hepatitis B virus DNA, HBV DNA)的关系,为HBeAg定量检测在临床诊疗的应用提供依据。通过收集710例2019年3月至5月于复旦大学附属华山医院就诊的慢性乙型肝炎患者血清样本,参照美国临床实验室标准化协会(The Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute, CLSI)相关文件的要求,对雅培ARCHITECTi4000SR全自动免疫分析仪检测的HBeAg定量试剂的精密度、分析灵敏度、线性范围/可报告范围、携带污染率进行验证和评价;采用化学发光微粒子免疫检测技术(chemiluminescence microparticle immuno assay, CMIA)对618例患者进行HBeAg定性和定量检测;采用荧光定量PCR对慢性乙型肝炎患者进行HBV DNA检测,比较HBV DNA和HBeAg定量结果的相关性。本研究证实HBeAg定量试剂检测性能验证结果良好;HBeAg定量和定性检测相关性良好;126例同时有HBeAg定量检测和HBV DNA定量检测的结果显示,两种方法呈正相关且一致性良好。HBeAg定量检测可用于常规实验室检测来辅助HBV感染的临床诊疗。     

CXCL9 Associated with Sustained Virological Response in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Peginterferon Alfa-2a Therapy: A Pilot Study

Background and Aims

There is lack of a practical biomarker to predict sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN). The aim of this pilot study was to identify immunological features associated with SVR.

Methods

Consecutive 74 CHB patients receiving 24 weeks (for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive) or 48 weeks (for HBeAg-negative) PEG-IFN, were prospectively enrolled. Serum HBV viral loads, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), CXCL9, IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were measured at baseline and week 12. SVR was defined as HBeAg seroconversion combined with viral load <2000 IU/mL in HBeAg-positive (n=36), and viral load <2000 IU/mL in HBeAg-negative patients (n=38) at 48 weeks after the end of treatment.

Results

Nineteen patients (25.7%), 7 in HBeAg-positive and 12 in HBeAg-negative, achieved SVR. There were significant declines of HBV DNA, HBsAg, IP-10 and IFN-γ levels at week 12. In multivariate analysis, pre-treatment CXCL9 >80 pg/mL, HBV DNA <2.5 x 10⁷ IU/mL and on-treatment HBV viral load, HBsAg decline >10% at week 12 were predictors of SVR. The performance of CXCL9 in predicting SVR was good in patients with HBV DNA <2.5 x 10⁷ IU/mL, particularly in HBeAg-negative CHB cases (positive predictive value, PPV= 64.3%).

Conclusions

Pre-treatment CXCL9 level has the potential to select CHB patients who can respond to PEG-IFN, especially in HBeAg-negative patients with low viral loads.     

Early Serum HBsAg Kinetics as Predictor of HBsAg Loss in Patients with HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B after Treatment with Pegylated Interferonα-2a

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is an ideal treatment endpoint for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We investigated the predictive value of on-treatment HBsAg levels for HBsAg loss in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients who received 120-week PEG-IFNα-2a treatment. Serum HBV DNA, HBsAg, and anti-HBs levels were assayed at baseline and every 3 months during the treatment. Of 81 patients, 12 achieved HBsAg loss, 20 achieved HBsAg < 100 IU/mL, and 49 maintained HBsAg≥100 IU/mL. HBsAg loss rate was only 3.7% at 48 weeks, while it reached to 11.1% and 14.8% after treatment of 96 weeks and 120 weeks. The cutoff HBsAg levels at 12 weeks predicting HBsAg loss at 96 weeks and 120 weeks of treatment were 400 IU/mL and 750 IU/mL, with AUC 0.725 and 0.722, positive predictive value (PPV) 29.41% and 30.56%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 93.75% and 97.78%, respectively. The cutoff HBsAg levels at 24 weeks predicting HBsAg loss at 96 weeks and 120 weeks of treatment were 174 IU/mL and 236 IU/mL respectively, with AUC 0.925 and 0.922, PPV 40.0% and 46.15%, and both NPV 100%. The predictive ability of the cutoff HBsAg levels at 24 weeks was better than that at 12 weeks for HBsAg loss at either 96 or 120 weeks (χ²=3.880, P=0.049 and χ²=4.412, P=0.036). These results indicate that extended therapy is critical to HBsAg loss in HBeAg-negative CHB patients during PEG-IFN treatment, and the HBsAg level at 24 weeks can be used to predict HBsAg loss during tailoring PEG-IFN therapy.

     

Dry Blood Spots a Reliable Method for Measurement of Hepatitis B Viral Load in Resource-Limited Settings

MethodsThe performance of DBS in HBV quantification was investigated using a modified commercial test (Abbott RealTime HBV assay). Paired DBS and plasma samples were collected from an HBV positive cohort in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. DBS were stored at ambient temperature for 4–39 days before shipment to the laboratory.ResultsTwenty-six paired samples were selected covering the total range of quantification, from 2.14 log IU/ml to >7 log IU/ml. HBV was detected in 21 of 21 (100%) DBS from patients with a corresponding plasma viral load above 2.70 log IU/ml. The mean difference between plasma and DBS was 0.59 log IU/ml, and the correlation was strong (R2 = 0.92). In stability studies there was no significant change in DBS viral load after storage at room temperature for up to 12 weeks.ConclusionsThis study suggests that DBS can be a feasible and reliable alternative to plasma for quantification of HBV in resource-limited settings. DBS can expand access to antiviral treatment for patients in low- and middle-income countries.     

Pegylated-Interferon Alpha Therapy for Treatment-Experienced Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Background

Studies are limited on pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who failed or relapsed on previous antiviral therapy.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the effect of Peg-IFN therapy in treatment-experienced CHB patients.

Study Design

A total of 57 treatment-experienced CHB patients at two medical centers were enrolled. All of the patients were treated with Peg-IFN α-2a at 180 μg weekly for 24 or 48 weeks. The hepatitis B serological markers and viral loads were tested every 3 months until 1 year after stopping Peg-IFN therapy. The endpoints were HBV DNA <2000IU/mL, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, and a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss at 12 months post-treatment.

Results

In HBeAg-positive patients, 25.0%, 29.2%, and 12.5% of the patients achieved HBeAg seroconversion, HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL and a combined response, respectively, at 12 months post-treatment. Prior IFN therapy, a high baseline ALT level, a low creatinine level, undetectable HBV DNA at 12 weeks and a decline in HBV DNA >2 log₁₀ IU/mL at 12 weeks of therapy were factors associated with treatment response. In HBeAg-negative patients, 9.1%, 15.2%, and 6.1% of the patients achieved undetectable HBV DNA, HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL, and an HBsAg loss, respectively, at 12 months post-treatment. No factor was significantly associated with the treatment response in the HBeAg-negative patients. The median HBsAg level declined from 3.4 to 2.6 log₁₀ IU/mL in all the patients, and the 5-year cumulative rate of the HBsAg loss was 9.8% in the HBeAg-negative patients. Overall, none of the patients prematurely discontinued the Peg-IFN therapy.

Conclusions

Peg-IFN re-treatment is effective for a proportion of HBeAg-positive treatment-experienced patients; it has limited efficacy for HBeAg-negative treatment-experienced patients. Peg-IFN might facilitate HBsAg loss in HBeAg-negative treatment-experienced patients.     

Comparison of droplet digital PCR to real-time PCR for quantification of hepatitis B virus DNA

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has been widely implemented for clinical hepatitis B viral load testing, but a lack of standardization and relatively poor precision hinder its usefulness. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a promising tool that offers high precision and direct quantification. In this study, we compared the ddPCR QX100 platform by Bio-Rad with the CFX384 Touch Real-Time PCR Detection System (Bio-Rad, USA) to detect serial plasmid DNA dilutions of known concentrations as well as HBV DNA extracted from patient serum samples. Both methods showed a high degree of linearity and quantitative correlation. However, ddPCR assays generated more reproducible results and detected lower copy numbers than qPCR assays. Patient sample quantifications by ddPCR and qPCR were highly agreeable based on the Bland–Altman analysis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that ddPCR offers improved analytical sensitivity and specificity for HBV measurements and is suitable for clinical HBV detection.     

Levels of hepatitis B virus replicative intermediate in serum samples of chronic hepatitis B patients

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) cccDNA levels is an absolute marker of HBV replication in the liver of HBV infected patients. This study aimed to quantify the HBV cccDNA levels in sera and liver tissue samples of treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B. Eighty one chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment naïve patients were enrolled from January 2009 to June 2011. Total HBV DNA and HBV cccDNA levels were quantified using sensitive real time PCR assay. The mean age of recruited patients was 34 ± 11.5 years. Fifty four (66.7 %) patients were HBeAg negative. Liver tissue samples were available from 2 HBeAg positive and 21 HBeAg negative CHB patients. The amount of total intrahepatic HBV DNA ranged from 0.09 to 1508.92 copies/cell. The median intrahepatic HBV cccDNA was 0.31 and 0.20 copies/cell in HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative cases, respectively. Serum HBV cccDNA was detectable in 85.2 % HBeAg positive and 48.1 % HBeAg negative CHB patients. Median serum HBV cccDNA was 46,000 and 26,350 copies/mL in HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative subjects, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of intrahepatic total HBV DNA and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA (r = 0.533, p = 0.009). A positive correlation was also seen between serum HBV cccDNA levels and serum HBV DNA levels (r = 0.871, p < 0.001). It was concluded that serum HBV cccDNA could be detectable in higher proportion of HBeAg positive patients compared to HBeAg negative patients. Moreover, the median level of serum HBV cccDNA was significantly higher in HBeAg positive patients in contrast to HBeAg negative subjects.     

A Comparison of Entecavir and Lamivudine for the Prophylaxis of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Solid Tumor Patients Undergoing Systemic Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

Background

Nucleos(t)ide analogues reduce the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in cancer patients undergoing systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy but the experience of solid tumors remains limited. Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of entecavir and lamivudine in the prophylaxis of HBV reactivation in solid tumor patients undergoing systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Methods

HBsAg seropositive patients undergoing systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy for solid tumors with prophylactic entecavir and lamivudine between January 2006 and June 2013 were retrospectively investigated. The incidence of HBV reactivation and outcome of the patients were analyzed. The risk factors of HBV reactivation were examined.

Results

A total of 213 patients (entecavir group, 70 patients; lamivudine group, 143 patients) were evaluated. Less incidence of HBV reactivation was noticed in entecavir group than in lamivudine group (0% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.02). No HBV reactivation was noticed in the patients with a baseline HBV DNA level < 2000 IU/mL. A baseline HBV DNA level ≥ 2000 IU/mL, HBeAg, and lamivudine were significantly associated with HBV reactivation. Subgroup analysis of the patients with a baseline HBV DNA level ≥ 2000 IU/mL found that lamivudine was significantly associated with HBV reactivation. Most of the reactivation events were properly managed by using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. The incidence of hepatitis during chemotherapy and disruption of chemotherapy was similar between patients using entecavir and lamivudine with a baseline HBV DNA level ≥ or < 2000 IU/mL.

Conclusions

A baseline HBV DNA level ≥ 2000 IU/mL, HBeAg, and lamivudine were the risk factors of HBV reactivation during systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy in solid tumor patients. Entecavir was superior to lamivudine in terms of less incidence of reactivation in the patients with a baseline HBV DNA level ≥ 2000 IU/mL. Both agents were equally efficacious in the patients with HBV DNA levels < 2000 IU/mL.     

Dried Blood Spot Sampling for Hepatitis B Virus Serology and Molecular Testing

Background & Aims

Dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper have been successfully used to diagnose and monitor several infectious diseases. The aim was to investigate the performance of DBS in hepatitis B virus (HBV) diagnosis using commercial tests in comparison to standard methods.

Methods

Paired DBS and plasma samples were collected from 200 patients: 100 patients with HBsAg negative status and 100 patients with HBsAg positive status. In the latter patient, HBeAg reactivity was tested. Ten samples of anti-HBs were collected from people vaccinated against HBV. We also studied 50 patients with positive HBV DNA viral load in plasma and 10 HBV DNA negative patients. HBV genotypes and gene polymerase mutations were determined in 10 randomly selected HBV-infected patients. The DBS sample consisted of 50 µL of whole blood, i.e. a 12-mm paper card.

Results

The sensitivity thresholds of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibody were 0.30±0.08 IU/mL and 18.11±6.05 IU/mL, respectively, for DBS with 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Sensitivity was 98% and specificity 100% for the detection of HBV DNA on a blotter, considering an HBV DNA threshold of 914.1±157.8 IU/ml. Ten patients had an HBeAg positive status in plasma, all were detected positive using DBS. HBV genotyping and mutation detection were successfully performed on DBS, with full concordance between the 10 paired DBS and plasma samples.

Conclusion

This study shows DBS is a reliable alternative to plasma specimens for quantifying and detecting HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg and genotyping. DBS may increase the opportunities for HBV testing and treatment follow-up in hard-to-reach individuals.     

Comparison of the Efficacy of Entecavir and Tenofovir in Nucleos(T)ide Analogue-Experienced Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

The efficacy of entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir (TDF) for the treatment of nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients has been little studied. Here, we compare the efficacy of both ETV and TDF in NA-experienced CHB patients without detectable genotypic resistance. This retrospective cohort study included consecutive NA-experienced patients who had neither current nor previous genotypic resistance and had received ETV or TDF for at least 6 months. Overall, 202 patients (146 patients in the ETV group and 56 in the TDF group) were analyzed. The cumulative probabilities of complete virologic suppression (CVS) at month 12 were 76.1% in the ETV group and 95.0% in the TDF group (P<0.001), respectively. The TDF-treated group achieved CVS more rapidly than the ETV group for both Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative and -positive patients (P = 0.006 and < 0.001, respectively), and for those with both low (< 2,000 IU/mL) and high (≥ 2,000 IU/mL) HBV DNA levels (P = 0.01 and 0.002, respectively). TDF group had an increased probability of achieving CVS (hazard ratio, 2.242; 95% confidence interval, 1.587–3.165; P = 0.001), after adjustment for HBV DNA level, the presence of HBeAg, and a history of CVS during prior treatment. During the treatment period, 23 patients (15.8%) in the ETV group developed virologic breakthrough, compared to none in the TDF group. The cumulative probabilities of developing virologic breakthrough and ETV-resistance at month 24 were 9.7% and 5.3%, respectively. In conclusion, TDF is preferable to ETV for achieving CVS in NA-experienced CHB patients without genotypic resistance.