Sensitive and accurate quantification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is necessary for monitoring patients with chronic hepatitis receiving antiviral therapy in order to determine treatment response and to adapt therapy in case of inadequate virologic control. The development of quantitative PCR assays has been crucial in meeting these needs. The objective of this study was to compare the perfor...

A sensitive chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay has been developed for hepatitis B virus (HBV) core-related antigen (HBcrAg) detection. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of HBcrAg measurement for monitoring chronic hepatitis B disease. HBcrAg levels were measured by a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay in 54 untreated patients and 39 patients treated with either entecavir or lamivudine....

The role of active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in chronic HBsAg positive hepatitis with and without hepatitis delta virus (HDV) superinfection was analysed in percutaneous liver biopsy specimens from 50 patients. Each specimen was divided into two--one part for histological evaluation and for the detection of HBcAg and delta antigen; the other part was tested for HBV-DNA using Southern bl...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) molecular profiles were determined for 44 patients who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and had antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), with and without other HBV serological markers. In this population, 70% of the patients were under lamivudine treatment as a component of antiretroviral therapy. HBV DNA was detected in 14 (32%)...

BACKGROUND The concentrations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and surface antigen (HBsAg) are two critical virological variables to be monitored in chronic hepatitis B. HBsAg is derived from the HBV genome. Thus, higher HBV-DNA concentrations should implicate higher HBsAg levels. Nevertheless, the two variables do not manifest a simple linear relationship due to elusive host factor involvements....

Context: Characteristics and factors influencing viral decay under TDF and ADV need to be determined in HIV-HBV co-infected patients. Patients and methods: This non-randomized, open label study compared the HBV DNA decay in 85 HIV-HBV co-infected patients initiating a combined antiretroviral regimen either including TDF or associated with ADV. The first 6 monthchange in viral load was analyzed ...

During in vitro fertilization, 22 human embryos were exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) in contaminated human serum present in the culture medium. All mothers experienced hepatitis B during the first trimester of pregnancy, and two had hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA, as determined by PCR, at the time of delivery. No HBV DNA was found in serum or lymphocytes from the exposed 22 infants....

AIM To explore whether acute cellular DNA damage response is induced upon hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the effects of the HBV infection. METHODS We incubated HL7702 hepatocytes with HBV-positive serum, mimicking a natural HBV infection process. We used immunoblotting to evaluate protein expression levels in HBV-infected cells or in non-infected cells; immunofluorescence to show ATR f...

BACKGROUND HBeAg negative hepatitis B infection exerts both inactive carrier state and chronic active hepatitis, which are sometimes difficult to differentiate. Serial hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA quantification, alanine transaminase (ALT) measurement, and liver histology assessment can help to differentiate these forms of hepatitis B infection. OBJECTIVES We aimed to clarify the clinical and ...

BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the liver and/or in the serum of patients with negative results of hepatitis B s antigen (HBsAg) test with or without serological markers of previous viral exposure. The impact of OBI in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is still unclear. OBJECTIVES The Aim of this study was ...