ASSESSMENT OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS-DNA LEVELS IN CHRONIC HBSAG-CARRIERS WITH OR WITHOUT HEPATITIS DELTA VIRUS SUPERINFECTION

[摘要] In order to document the incidence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) replication markers and their relationship to HBV replication, 91 HBsAg chronic carriers were studied. Of these, 51 were anti-HD-positive (19 HBeAg-positive and 32 anti-HBe-positive). Liver HDAg was found in 75% of anti-HD-positive patients. Of the 19 patients who had anti-HD and HBeAg, 13 were HBV-DNA-positive. None of the anti-HBe patients were HBV-DNA-positive. No differences with respect to HBV-DNA concentration were observed between anti-HD-positive and -negative patients. Liver HDAg was detected with similar frequency in patients who were HBeAg- and HBV-DNA-positive (63.6%) and in those who were anti-HBe-positive (78.5%), with no statistically significant difference. HBcAg and HDAg were simultaneously detected in 36% of the anti-HD cases. Patients with anti-HD and HBV-DNA had the highest levels of transaminases (SGPT). Our results suggest that in certain patients HDV and HBV replication coexists without mutual inhibition.

[发布日期] 1988-04-01