Significant Fibrosis Is Not Rare in Chinese Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Persistent Normal ALT

Background

Limited studies have been done on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients defined according to the latest Asian-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver guideline with liver histology by a large sample size.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated liver histological characteristics on a cohort of consecutive treatment-naive CHB patients with persistent normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT) or elevated ALT from May 2005 to October 2011. Histological assessment was based on the Metavir scoring system, significant abnormality was defined as necroinflammation grade ≥A2 and/or fibrosis stage ≥F2.

Results

A total of 675 CHB patients were recruited, including 516 HBeAg-positive and 159 HBeAg-negative patients. In HBeAg-positive patients, significant fibrosis was found 49.4% (42/85) in PNALT, 69.8% (88/126) in ALT 1-2×upper limit normal (ULN) and 81.6% (249/305) in ALT>2×ULN group, respectively. In HBeAg-negative patients, significant fibrosis was found 30.9% (17/55) in PNALT, 73.3% (33/45) in ALT 1-2×ULN and 94.9% (56/59) in ALT>2×ULN group, respectively. HBeAg-positive patients with PNALT over 30 years old had a higher frequency of significant fibrosis than those under 30 years old (87.5% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.058). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated increasing age (P = 0.012), higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.001) and lower HBV DNA (P < 0.001) were associated with significant necroinflammation, while higher AST (P < 0.001), lower albumin (P = 0.027) and HBV DNA (P = 0.004) were associated with significant fibrosis in HBeAg-positive patients with elevated ALT. Higher AST was associated with significant necroinflammation in HBeAg-negative patients with elevated ALT (P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Significant fibrosis is not rare in Chinese CHB patients with PNALT, especially HBeAg-positive patients over 30 years old.     

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。     

A large population histology study showing the lack of association between ALT elevation and significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

Objective

We determined the association between various clinical parameters and significant liver injury in both hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative patients.

Methods

From 1994 to 2008, liver biopsy was performed on 319 treatment-naïve CHB patients. Histologic assessment was based on the Knodell histologic activity index for necroinflammation and the Ishak fibrosis staging for fibrosis.

Results

211 HBeAg-positive and 108 HBeAg-negative patients were recruited, with a median age of 31 and 46 years respectively. 9 out of 40 (22.5%) HBeAg-positive patients with normal ALT had significant histologic abnormalities (necroinflammation grading ≥7 or fibrosis score ≥3). There was a significant difference in fibrosis scores among HBeAg-positive patients with an ALT level within the Prati criteria (30 U/L for men, 19 U/L for women) and patients with a normal ALT but exceeding the Prati criteria (p = 0.024). Age, aspartate aminotransferase and platelet count were independent predictors of significant fibrosis in HBeAg-positive patients with an elevated ALT by multivariate analysis (p = 0.007, 0.047 and 0.045 respectively). HBV DNA and platelet count were predictors of significant fibrosis in HBeAg-negative disease (p = 0.020 and 0.015 respectively). An elevated ALT was not predictive of significant fibrosis for HBeAg-positive (p = 0.345) and -negative (p = 0.544) disease. There was no significant difference in fibrosis staging among ALT 1–2×upper limit of normal (ULN) and >×2 ULN for both HBeAg-positive (p = 0.098) and -negative (p = 0.838) disease.

Conclusion

An elevated ALT does not accurately predict significant liver injury. Decisions on commencing antiviral therapy should not be heavily based on a particular ALT threshold.     

恩替卡韦联合胸腺肽α1治疗慢性乙型肝炎疗效研究

目的：观察和比较恩替卡韦联合胸腺肽α1治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效。方法：选取我院58例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者分成联合组和对照组。联合组28例,初始同时使用恩替卡韦及胸腺肽αl24周,之后停胸腺肽αl继续用恩替卡韦至48周。对照组30例,单用恩替卡韦0．5mg／d,48周。定期检测ALT复常率,HBVDNA转阴率,HBeAg／抗HBe血清转换率,肝纤维化组合,Fibroscan评分两组在治疗结束时进行疗效评价。结果：24周时两组ALT复常率无差异显著性（P〉0．05）,联合组和对照组HBVDNA阴转率在24周、48周时均差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。联合组与单用组HBeAg血清转换率在第24周、48周时,两组比较差异均有显著性（P〈0．05）。肝纤维化组合各指标（HA,LN,PIIIP,Ⅳ型胶原）,Fibroscan评分两组治疗48周后比较差异均有显著性（P〈0．05）,且两组治疗前后差异联合组更显著。治疗过程中,未发现明显副作用。结论：恩替卡韦联合胸腺肽d1治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎,安全性与耐受性良好,联合组在ALT复常率,HBeAg血清转换率和HBVDNA转阴率,抗肝纤维仲韵井种P昂荽楫干蕈闱凰巷卡韦组．     

Comparison of Histologic Characteristics of Chinese Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Persistently Normal or Mildly Elevated ALT

Liver disease can develop in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal or mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) who seldom undergo liver biopsy. We aimed to determine histologic characteristics of a large cohort of Chinese CHB patients undergoing liver biopsy and to evaluate the utility of ALT and HBV DNA values at the time of biopsy in predicting liver disease in this population. This prospective study enrolled 230 treatment-naïve patients with persistently normal or mildly elevated ALT. All patients had a liver biopsy. ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and HBV DNA levels were some of the other parameters measured. Using Scheuer''s classification, significant histology was defined as stage ≧2 fibrosis and/or stage 1 fibrosis plus≧ grade 2 inflammation. Liver disease was observed in 34.4% and 61.8% of patients with normal ALT and mildly elevated ALT, respectively. Patients with mildly elevated ALT levels had significantly more events, including liver disease, elevated AST, and moderate to severe inflammation and liver fibrosis, than patients with normal ALT (all P≤0.005). A total of 107 patients (46.5%) had liver disease and 123 (53.5%) did not. PLT and ALT were significantly associated with liver disease (both P<0.001). Patients with elevated ALT, lower platelet count and HBV DNA < 7 log₁₀copies/mL may have histologically significant changes associated with liver disease. Multivariate analysis showed that PLT and HBV DNA levels were significantly associated with liver disease in patients with normal ALT while gender and HBV DNA levels were significantly associated with liver disease in patients with mildly elevated ALT. Assessing liver damage via biopsy in patients with normal or mildly elevated ALT may help to identify those who would benefit from antiviral therapy.     

Effects of Entecavir on Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA in Hepatitis B e Antigen-Positive Patients with Hepatitis B

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 48-week entecavir therapy on serum and intrahepatic hepatitis B virus, covalently closed circular DNA (HBV cccDNA) levels in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients. A total of 120 patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis were treated with entecavir for 48 weeks. Serum HBV markers, total HBV DNA, and HBV cccDNA levels were measured at baseline and week 48. Biopsies from 20 patients were available for both intrahepatic total HBV DNA and cccDNA testing at these timepoints. HBV cccDNA levels were decreased from a median level of 5.1×10⁶ copies/mL at baseline to a median level of 2.4×10³ copies/mL at week 48. Reduction magnitudes of HBV cccDNA in patients with normalized alanine aminotransferase levels and those undergoing HBeAg seroconversion were significantly greater than those in alanine aminotransferase-abnormal and HBeAg positive patients. Intrahepatic HBV cccDNA was decreased significantly after 48 weeks of treatment, but could not be eradicated. In conclusion, treatment of HBeAg-positive hepatitis B patients with entecavir for 48 weeks decreased serum and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA significantly, and the magnitude of HBV cccDNA reduction was related to total HBV DNA decrease, alanine aminotransferase normalization, and HBeAg seroconversion.     

IL28B Polymorphism Correlates with Active Hepatitis in Patients with HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Background & Aims

The clinical relevance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the IL28B gene is controversial in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to investigate the role of viral and host factors, including IL28B genotypes, in the natural course of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

The study enrolled consecutive 115 treatment-naive CHB patients. HBV viral loads, genotypes, precore and basal core promotor mutations, serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and interferon-gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10) levels as well as four SNPs of IL28B were determined. Serial alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in the previous one year before enrollment at an interval of three months were recorded. Factors associated with active hepatitis, defined as persistent ALT >2× upper limit of normal (ULN) or a peak ALT level >5× ULN, were evaluated.

Results

The prevalence of rs8105790 TT, rs12979860 CC, rs8099917 TT, and rs10853728 CC genotypes were 88.3%, 87.4%, 88.4% and 70.9%, respectively. In HBeAg-positive patients (n = 48), HBV viral load correlated with active hepatitis, while in HBeAg-negative patients (n = 67), rs10853728 CC genotype (p = 0.032) and a trend of higher IP-10 levels (p = 0.092) were associated with active hepatitis. In multivariate analysis, high viral load (HBV DNA >10⁸ IU/mL, p = 0.042, odds ratio = 3.946) was significantly associated with HBeAg-positive hepatitis, whereas rs10853728 CC genotype (p = 0.019, odds ratio = 3.927) was the only independent factor associated with active hepatitis in HBeAg-negative population.

Conclusions

HBV viral load and IL28B rs10853728 CC genotype correlated with hepatitis activity in HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative CHB, respectively. Both viral and host factors play roles in disease activity during different phases of CHB.     

替比夫定联合阿德福韦酯与恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者疗效比较

目的 评价替比夫定联合阿德福韦酯与恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的疗效及安全性.方法 138例患者单盲分组,替比夫定联合阿德福韦酯组69例,恩替卡韦组69例,比较两组患者在治疗的第4、8、12、24、52周时HBV-DNA转阴率、ALT复常率,12、24和52周HBeAg转阴及血清学转换率,及24、52周完全应答率.结果 与基线相比,两组患者治疗4、8、12、24和52周时的不同时间阶段HBV-DNA转阴率及ALT复常率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).治疗24、52周替比夫定联合阿德福韦酯组患者的HBeAg转阴率及血清学转换率均优于恩替卡韦组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).总有效率在治疗第24、52周时进行两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).两组安全性及耐受性均相似,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 替比夫定联合阿德福韦酯组与恩替卡韦组均具有强效的HBV-DNA抑制作用,在4、8、12、24和52周的不同时间阶段抗病毒疗效均相似.替比夫定联合阿德福韦酯组具有更显著的HBeAg转阴率及血清转换率和完全应答率,在治疗第24、52周尤为明显,两组ALT复常率相似,替比夫定联合阿德福韦酯和恩替卡韦均具有良好的安全性和耐受性.     

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.     

Long-term effects of peginterferon alfa-2a therapy in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Background

There is no information on the long-term effects of peginterferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Japan. This double-blind, randomized trial investigated the efficacy of PEG-IFN therapy.

Methods

We analyzed 22 Japanese patients with CHB (hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive: 17, HBeAg-negative: 5) treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2a and followed-up posttreatment for 5 years. Responders represented patients who showed persistent normalization of alanine transferase (ALT) levels, HBeAg clearance, and low hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels (HBeAg-positive patient; <5 log copies/mL, HBeAg-negative patient; <4.3 log copies/mL) at end of treatment, and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years posttreatment. In addition, baseline HBeAg-positive patients who showed sustained normalization of ALT level, HBeAg clearance, and low HBV DNA level for more than 6 months until at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after completion of PEG-IFN were also classified as “triple responders” and the proportion of triple responders relative to all patients was termed the “triple response rate”.

Results

The response rates among HBeAg-positive patients were 13 %, 25 %, 14 %, 21 % and 21 % at end of treatment, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, respectively. The response rate tended to be higher in patients treated for 48 than 24 weeks. The respective response rates among HBeAg-negative patients were 0 %, 20 %, 20 %, 20 % and 25 %. During the treatment period, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance at 3.5 years was noted in one patient, who was 37-year-old, male, had genotype C and received PEG-IFN alfa-2a at 90 μg for 48 weeks.

Conclusion

At 5 years after completion of PEG-IFN, the triple response rate in HBeAg-positive patients and combined response rate in HBeAg-negative patients were 21 % (3/14) and 25 % (1/4), respectively. The triple response was seen in three patients who had all been treated with PEG-IFN for 48 weeks.

     

Consolidation treatment needed for sustained HBsAg-negative response induced by interferon-alpha in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is considered as functional cure in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to assess the durability of HBsAg clearance achieved by interferon-based therapies in patients with CHB who were originally positive for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg). In this prospective study, HBeAg-positive CHB patients with confirmed HBsAg loss under interferon-based therapies were enrolled within 12 weeks from end of treatment and followed up for 48 weeks. Virological markers, biochemical indicators, and liver imaging examinations were observed every 3-6 months. Sustained functional cure was analysed as primary outcome. Factor associated with sustained HBsAg loss or reversion was also investigated. The rate of HBsAg loss sustainability was 91.8% (212/231). Patients receiving consolidation treatment for 12-24 weeks or ≥ 24 weeks had higher rates of sustained HBsAg negativity than those receiving consolidation treatment for < 12 weeks (98.3% and 91.2% vs. 86.7%, P=0.068), and the former groups had significantly higher anti-HBs levels than the later (P < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of HBsAg reversion and HBV DNA reversion was 8.2% and 3.9%, respectively. Consolidation treatment of ≥ 12 weeks[odd ratio (OR) 3.318, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.077-10.224, P=0.037) was a predictor of sustained functional cure, and HBeAg-positivity at cessation of treatment (OR 12.271, 95% CI 1.076-139.919, P=0.043) was a predictor of HBsAg reversion. Interferon-alpha induced functional cure was durable and a consolidation treatment of ≥ 12-24 weeks was needed after HBsAg loss in HBeAg-positive CHB patients.     

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.     

恩替卡韦对CHB患者外周血T淋巴细胞PD-1水平及

摘要：目的 探讨恩替卡韦对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者外周血T淋巴细胞程序性死亡受体1（PD-1）水平及肝功能的影响。方法 将128例CHB患者随机分为观察组及对照组各64例,对照组患者给予拉米夫定治疗,观察组在对照组基础上给予恩替卡韦治疗。分别于治疗前、治疗后1个月、3个月、6个月、12个月抽取静脉血5 mL,采用荧光定量PCR检测患者血清HBV DNA载量,流式细胞术检测T淋巴细胞PD-1表达水平,全自动化生化分析仪测定患者血清谷草转氨酶（ALT）水平。结果 两组组患者治疗1个月、3个月、6个月、12个月HBV DNA载量、ALT水平、CD4+T细胞PD-1、CD8+ T细胞PD-1水平均低于治疗前（P<0.05）。观察组治疗后1个月、3个月、6个月、12个月HBV DNA载量、ALT水平、CD4+ T细胞PD-1、CD8+ T细胞PD-1水平低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论 恩替卡韦能有效抑制CHB患者外周血CD4+、CD8+ T细胞表面PD-1表达水平,进而抑制HBV DNA复制,改善患者肝功能。     

恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg 阳性乙型肝炎临床观察

目的:探讨恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性乙型肝炎的疗效与安全性。方法:140例慢性乙肝患者随机分为2组:观察组予恩替卡韦0.5 mg/d,对照组予拉米夫定100 mg/d,疗程均为48周。观察两组HBV DNA阴转率、ALT复常率、HbeAg血清转换率以及不良反应发生情况。结果:在治疗12周后,观察组与对照组HBV DNA阴转率分别为47.1%、22.9%(P<0.01),ALT复常率分别为51.4%、31.4%(P<0.05),在治疗48周后,观察组与对照组HBV DNA阴转率分别为88.6%、48.6%(P<0.01),ALT复常率分别为90.0%、72.9%(P<0.01)。HbeAg血清转换率无统计学差异,两组患者未见严重不良反应。结论:恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性乙肝患者,较拉米夫定起效快、作用强,且安全性好。     

新疆维吾尔族与汉族乙型肝炎患者HBVDNA 及肝功能检测结果的比较

目的:探讨新疆乌鲁木齐地区伴有肝功能指标:丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)浓度异常的维吾尔族(维族)及汉族HBeAg阳性乙型肝炎初次就诊患者,乙型肝炎病毒DNA复制载量及ALT浓度是否存在差异及其对患者诊断、预后的意义。方法:回顾性选取门诊伴有ALT浓度异常的汉族、维族初次就诊患者并筛选出HBeAg阳性患者汉族、维族共373例。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应、生化测定及酶联免疫吸附试验法分别测定HBV DNA、ALT浓度及乙肝HBeAg。结果:(1)汉族HBV DNA组秩和8869,维族HBV DNA组秩和10359.36,经Mann-Whitney Test检验两组间尚不能肯定HBVDNA分布有统计学意义,即伴有肝功能损害的汉族、维族初次就诊HBeAg阳性患者HBV DNA复制程度没有差异。(2)汉族ALT组秩和26818.50,维族ALT组秩和22009.50,经Mann-Whitney Test检验两组间ALT分布有统计学意义,即伴有肝功能损害的初次就诊HBeAg阳性患者汉族肝功能损害程度高于维族。(3)HBVDNA低复制组(103-104copy/mL):汉族秩和3771.46,维族秩和4993.2;中复制组(104-106copy/mL):汉族秩和6412.4,维族秩和5088.2;高复制组(>106copy/mL):汉族秩和929.04,维族秩和666.96,经Mann-Whitney Test检验在低复制组两民族间ALT分布无统计学意义,在中、高复制组两民族间ALT具有统计学意义。即:伴有肝功能损害的初次就诊HBeAg阳性患者在HBV DNA低复制组两民族间肝功能损害程度无差异,但在中、高复制组汉族肝功能损害程度高于维族。结论:新疆乌鲁木齐地区伴有肝功能损害的初次就诊的HBeAg阳性的汉族与维族之间HBV DNA的病毒复制无统计学意义(P>0.05),但两民族间的ALT具有统计学意义,可能跟维族的民俗、饮食习惯及生存环境、免疫相关基因HLA基因频率分布差异等因素有关。     

免疫预防阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴传播效果的观察

阻断乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)母婴传播是控制乙型肝炎的重大问题。为探讨免疫预防对阻断HBV母婴传播的效果及影响因素,对667例HBV表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性孕妇及其婴儿进行研究。这些孕妇按HBVe抗原(HBeAg)和HBVDNA检测结果,分为HBeAg阳性组及阴性组、DNA阳性组及阴性组;按是否于孕晚期注射乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白(HBIG),分为注射组及未注射组。婴儿于出生24h内均肌内注射HBIG100IU,并按0、1、6方案注射10μg重组酵母HBV疫苗;8～12月龄后随访婴儿,并进行HBV标志物(HBV-M)检测。667个婴儿中,20例感染HBV,免疫阻断失败率为3.0%。孕妇HBeAg阳性组免疫阻断失败率为8.7%,阴性组为0.2%,两组差异显著(P<0.001);两组婴儿对疫苗免疫应答率分别为83.0%和83.1%,无显著差异(P=0.988)。孕妇DNA阳性组免疫阻断失败率为8.1%,HBVDNA均≥6log10copies/ml。孕期注射与未注射HBIG组婴儿免疫阻断失败率分别为3.7%和2.7%,无显著差异(P=0.479);两组婴儿对疫苗免疫应答率分别为84.4%和82.4%,无显著差异(P=0.519)。孕妇HBeAg阳性注射HBIG组与未注射组的免疫阻断失败率分别为8.4%和8.9%,无显著差异(P=0.892)。孕妇HBeAg阴性注射与未注射HBIG组的免疫阻断失败率分别为0.0%和0.3%,也无显著差异(P=0.538)。11例免疫阻断失败的婴儿中,10例出生时血清HBsAg已为阳性;8～12个月后随访,HBsAg仍持续阳性,提示为宫内感染。本研究证实,孕期注射HBIG未能提高婴儿对HBV疫苗加HBIG的免疫阻断效果。宫内感染可能是疫苗加HBIG免疫阻断失败的主要原因。采用降低孕妇血清HBVDNA的措施,如对孕妇进行抗HBV治疗,也许能降低HBV宫内感染率。     

Low frequency of precore mutants in anti-hepatitis B e antigen positive subjects with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Chennai, Southern India

The natural course of chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) virus infection is reportedly variable, and the long-term outcomes in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B infection are distinct from HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis. However, the molecular virological factors that contribute to the progression of liver disease in the south Indian setting remain largely unclear. We prospectively studied 679 consecutive patients for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBeAg, and HBV DNA by qualitative PCR. Randomly selected samples were subjected to bidirectional sequencing to reveal core/precore variants. Of the total 679 chronic HBV cases investigated, 23% (154/679) were replicative HBV carriers. Furthermore, amongst the 560 HBV DNA samples analyzed, 26% (146/560) were viremic. Among the 154 HBeAg positive cases, HBV DNA was positive in 118 cases (77%), significantly (p<0.001) higher than the anti-HBe positive (7%) (28/406) cases. Significant increase in liver disease (p<0.01) with ALT enzyme elevation (p<0.001) was observed in both HBe and anti-HBe viremic cases. Interestingly, low frequencies of mutations were seen in the precore region of the HBV strains studied. HBV precore and core promoter variants were less often detected in subjects with "e" negative chronic HBV infection and, therefore, may not have a prognostic role in determining liver disease sequelae in this part of tropical India.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b治疗61例e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎临床分析

目的探讨聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2b治疗e抗原(HBeAg)阳性慢性乙型肝炎的临床疗效和不良反应,同时探讨影响应答的相关因素。方法用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b治疗61例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎,治疗期间定期监测血常规、生物化学指标、病毒学标志、甲状腺功能等。结果 48周,表面抗原(HBsAg)和HBeAg血清学转换率分别为5.26%、31.2%;血清HBV DNA阴转率为59.6%;ALT复常率为64.9%。随访半年,HBV DNA复发率为17.4%;HBeAg血清学转换者维持应答。治疗前ALT>5 ULN时,48周时HBeAg血清学转换率和HBV DNA阴转率明显高于ALT<5 ULN时,二者比较差异有统计学意义;而血清HBV DNA水平与其无明显相关性。结论聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2b具有免疫调节和抗病毒双重作用,48周时HBeAg血清学转换率和HBV DNA阴转率与治疗前血清ALT水平与相关,停药后具有持续应答效应。     

恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性乙型肝炎临床观察

目的：探讨恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性乙型肝炎的疗效与安全性。方法：140例慢性乙肝患者随机分为2组：观察组予恩替卡韦0．5mg／d,对照组予拉米夫定100mg／d,疗程均为48周。观察两组HBVDNA阴转率、ALT复常率、HbeAg血清转换率以及不良反应发生情况。结果：在治疗12周后,观察组与对照组HBVDNA阴转率分别为47．1％、22．9％（P〈0．01）,ALT复常率分别为51．4％、31．4％（P〈0．05）,在治疗48周后,观察组与对照组HBVDNA阴转率分别为88．6％、48．6％（P〈0．01）,ALT复常率分别为90．0％、72．9％（P〈0．01）。HbeAg血清转换率无统计学差异,两组患者未见严重不良反应。结论：恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性乙肝患者,较拉米夫定起效快、作用强,且安全性好。