Serum hepatitis B virus DNA in hepatitis B virus seropositive and seronegative patients with normal liver function

  • C. C. Pao*
  • , D. S. Yao
  • , C. Y. Lin
  • , S. M. Kao
  • , K. C. Tsao
  • , C. F. Sun
  • , Y. F. Liaw
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The presence of hepatitis type B virus (HBV) DNA in serum specimens from 926 apparently healthy people with normal liver functions was determined by polymerase chain reaction; 41.2% of people with positive results for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) (94 of 228) and 95.2% of people with positive results for HBV e antigen (HBeAg) (60 of 63) were found to have positive results for serum HBV DNA. On the other hand, serum HBV DNA was found in 11.0% (77 of 698) of HBsAg-negative people and in 13% (69 of 530) of those who had positive results for serum antibodies directed against HBsAg. The results seem to suggest that HBV DNA can be found in a significant portion of apparently healthy people with normal liver function who are either seronegative for HBsAg or seropositive for antibodies directed against HBsAg.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)591-596
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Pathology
Volume95
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Hepatitis B
  • Liver disease
  • Polymerase chain reaction

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