[Analysis of the DNA of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the serum and mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood in subjects with chronic infection by the HBV]. / Análisis del ADN del virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) en suero y células mononucleares de sangre periférica en sujetos con infección crónica por el VHB.
Med Clin (Barc)
; 103(15): 561-6, 1994 Nov 05.
Article
in Es
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-7990520
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Viral replication is one of the determining factors of the natural history of infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The clinical significance of the viremia and the DNA-HBV findings in mononuclear cells was therefore analyzed.METHODS:
The epidemiologic history, liver function tests and the Knodell index were analyzed in 117 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 33 healthy HBV carriers. The DNA-HBV was studied in serum and mononuclear cells by dot-blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).RESULTS:
The DNA-HBV was detected by dot-blot in 62/117 subjects with and in CHB 3/33 healthy carriers. Viremis was determined by PCR in 107/117 patients with CHB and in 22/23 healthy carriers. Both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the Knodell index were greater in the patients with positive DNA-HBV dot-blot. No significant differences were observed in the liver function tests and Knodell index with regard to the viremia detectable exclusively by PCR. In the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood, DNA-HBV was observed in 62% by dot-blot and in 95% by PCR. The presence of DNA-HBV by dot-blot in these cells was associated to greater disease activity.CONCLUSIONS:
The activity of chronic hepatitis B was correlated with the presence of high viremic levels with no direct relation being observed between low grade viremia and disease aggressivity. The finding of DNA-HBV by dot-blot in mononuclear cells was associated with a greater activity of chronic hepatitis B, with these results being in agreement with the serologic data reported.
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Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
DNA, Viral
/
Hepatitis B virus
/
Hepatitis B
/
Hepatitis, Chronic
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
Es
Year:
1994
Type:
Article