Role of hepatitis c virus infection in spontaneous hepatitis b surface antigen clearance during chronic hepatitis b virus infection

Sheen Shyan, Yun Fan Liaw*, Chia Ming Chu, Chiac C. Pao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

144 Scopus citations

Abstract

To examine the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in spontaneous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance during the course of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, serum specimens from 32 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 22 patients with chronic hepatitis type B who underwent spontaneous HBsAg clearance were studied for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) using commercial EIAs. The results were compared with those of control groups matched for age, sex, hepatitis B e antigen, antibody to hepatitis delta virus, and cirrhosis. Eight (25%) of the asymptomatic carriers and 9 (410/0) of the patients with chronic hepatitis were seropositive for anti-HCV in contrast to 1.6% and 9.1% of their respective control groups (P <.01). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was persistently abnormal after HBsAg clearance in one asymptomatic carrier and in four patients with chronic hepatitis. These patients were seropositive for anti-HCV and at least one of them was negative for HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The data suggest that HCV superinfection may not only suppress HBV or terminate the HBsAg carrier state but may also assume the role of HBV as the cause of persistent hepatitis or transami-nase elevation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)831-834
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume165
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 05 1992
Externally publishedYes

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