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Negative correlation between viral load and HBsAg levels in chronic HBV-infected patients

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to reveal the relationship between viral load (as HBV DNA) and HBsAg levels. Ninety-two chronically HBV-infected patients were included in the study. The patients were divided in two different groups: the cirrhotic group (n = 32) and the non-cirrhotic group (n = 60). The correlation between study groups was also examined with regard to HBeAg status. Hepatitis B viral markers (HBsAg, HBeAg, Anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HBe) and HBV viral load of the patients were measured. A significant negative correlation between HBV DNA and HBsAg levels was found in the non-cirrhotic group (p < 0.01). The anti-HBc level was higher in the non-cirrhotic group than in the cirrhotic group (p < 0.016). The viral load was significantly higher in HBeAg (+) patients in comparison with HBeAg (−) cases (p < 0.0001). The HBsAg level was low in HBeAg (+) patients, whereas it was higher in HBeAg (−) cases (p < 0.001). In conclusion, a significant negative correlation between viral load and HBsAg levels was detected in the non-cirrhotic chronically HBV-infected group. Therefore, concomitantly low HBsAg and HBV DNA levels may indicate a better prognosis compared to high HBsAg and low HBV DNA levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey

    Burhan Ozdil, Hikmet Akkiz & Macit U. Sandikci

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Research Hospital Trabzon, Trabzon, Turkey

    Arif M. Cosar

  3. Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Research Hospital Trabzon, Trabzon, Turkey

    Can Kece

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  1. Burhan Ozdil
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  2. Arif M. Cosar
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  3. Hikmet Akkiz
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  4. Macit U. Sandikci
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  5. Can Kece
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Correspondence to Burhan Ozdil.

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Ozdil, B., Cosar, A.M., Akkiz, H. et al. Negative correlation between viral load and HBsAg levels in chronic HBV-infected patients. Arch Virol 154, 1451–1455 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-009-0474-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-009-0474-x

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