Expression of Hepatocyte Hepatitis B Core Antigen and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen as a Marker in the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

We aimed to clarify the association of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) with the disease status and treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

We investigated 171 biopsy-proven entecavir-treated CHB patients (109 hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive, 62 HBeAg-negative). HBcAg expression was positive when ≥10% of hepatocytes stained, and classified into nuclear, mixed, and cytoplasmic patterns. HBsAg expressions were intracytoplasmic (diffuse, globular, and submembranous) and membranous. The histologic activity index (HAI) and fibrosis stage followed Ishak system.

Results

In HBeAg-positive patients, older age, increased HAI score, advanced fibrosis, and reduced viral load were observed wh

SUBMITTER: Yim SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5417785 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature