Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in liver biopsy sample of patients with nonviral liver disease

Çakal B., Atasoy A., Çavuş B., Poda M., Bulakçı M., Güllüoğlu M., ...More

FUTURE VIROLOGY, vol.17, no.10, pp.733-742, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 17 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0316
  • Journal Name: FUTURE VIROLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.733-742
  • Keywords: hepatitis B, histopathology, liver biopsy, nonviral liver disease, occult HBV infection, prevalence, total hepatitis B core antibody, VIRUS-INFECTION, HBV INFECTION, HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA, SURFACE-ANTIGEN, REACTIVATION, PERSISTENCE, DNA
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B (HBV) infection (OBI) in patients with nonviral liver disease. Materials & methods: This study included 83 HBsAg-negative patients followed up at a gastroenterohepatology clinic. The presence of HBV DNA was investigated by using an in-house nested-PCR method applied to liver parenchymal biopsy samples obtained from patients who underwent due nonviral chronic liver disease. Results: OBI was detected in 19 (22.9%) of the 83 cases, in 11 (44%) of 25 anti-HBc-positive patients, and 15 (31.9%) of 47 anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs antibodies-positive patients. Conclusion: There is a considerable prevalence of OBI among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease. Therefore, it is suggested that closely monitoring HBV can be useful to prevent or more effectively manage possible OBI-related complications among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease, especially those who are HBsAg seronegative or anti-HBV antibody seropositive.