Significant liver histological change is common in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with normal ALT.
BMC Infect Dis
; 24(1): 723, 2024 Jul 23.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39044129
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Numerous HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with persistently normal ALT have significant liver histopathology. It is imperative to identify true "immune tolerant" patients. We aimed to evaluate the liver histopathology features of HBeAg-positive CHB patients with normal ALT and the incidence of liver cirrhosis and HCC in CHB patients during follow-up.METHODS:
179 HBeAg-positive CHB patients with normal ALT who performed liver biopsy from 2009 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Liver necroinflammation ≥ G2 and/or liver fibrosis ≥ S2 was defined as significant liver histopathological change.RESULTS:
57.5% patients were in the indeterminate phase with significant liver histological changes. The proportion of the patients with evident liver necroinflammation was higher in the high-normal ALT group (21-40U/L) when compared with the low-normal ALT group (≤ 20 U/L) (51.3% vs. 30.0%, p < 0.05), and patients aged ≥ 40 years had a higher proportion of significant fibrosis than those aged < 40 years (64.5% vs. 39.9%, p < 0.05). The percentages of patients with ≥ S2 and ≥ G2/S2 in the HBV DNA < 107 IU/mL group were higher than those in the HBV DNA ≥ 107 IU/mL group (72.7% vs. 40.1%, p < 0.01; 81.8% vs. 54.1%, p < 0.05). During follow-up, two of immune tolerant patients and four of indeterminate patients developed into cirrhosis, and one of immune tolerant patients and one of indeterminate patients developed into HCC, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:
HBeAg-positive CHB patients with high-normal ALT or HBV DNA < 107 IU/mL were tend to be indeterminate. Liver biopsy or noninvasive approaches are recommended to evaluate liver histopathology, and antiviral therapy is recommended for patients with significant liver histopathology.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Hepatitis B Crónica
/
Alanina Transaminasa
/
Antígenos e de la Hepatitis B
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Hígado
/
Cirrosis Hepática
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Infect Dis
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido