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Hepatitis B Core Antigen Expression in Hepatocytes Reflects Viral Response to Entecavir in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.
- Source :
- Gut & Liver; Jul2013, Vol. 7 Issue 4, p462-468, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Background/Aims: Hepatitis B core antigen is known to be a major target for virus-specific T cells and also reflects the progression of liver dissease and viral replication. Hepatitis B core antigen expression in hepatocytes leads to altered histological activity, viral replication, and immune response. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the topographical distribution of hepatitis B core antigen expression can predict the viral response to entecavir in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: We enrolled 91 patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B. All the patients underwent liver biopsy, and the existence and pattern of hepatitis B core antigen evaluated by immunohistochemistry. All patients received 0.5 mg of entecavir daily following a liver biopsy. We checked the viral response at 3, 6, and 12 months during antiviral therapy. Results: Of the 91 patients, 64 (70.3%) had hepatitis B core antigen expression. Of the subcellular patterns, the mixed type was dominant (n=48, 75%). The viral response was significantly higher in the hepatitis B core antigen-negative group than in the hepatitis B core antigen-positive group (88.9% and 54.7%, respectively; p=0.001) after 12 months of entecavir therapy. Conclusions: Chronic hepatitis B patients who are hepatitis B core antigen-negative have a better response to entecavir therapy than do hepatitis B core antigen-positive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HEPATITIS B virus
ANTIGENS
CHRONIC hepatitis B
LIVER diseases
THERAPEUTICS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19762283
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Gut & Liver
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 89037892
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.5009/gnl.2013.7.4.462