ABSTRACT
The detection and quantification of hepatitis B virus genomes appear to be the most reliable methods for monitoring HBV infection and assessing response to antiviral treatment. The aim of this study assess the performance of three HBV DNA detection and quantification assays currently used for the management of HBV infected patients. In our study. 44 HBsAg +ve samples were assayed to HBV DNA detection and quantification by three different methods [In House HBV PCR. Amplicor HBV Monitor and HBV branched DNA DNA "bDNA"]. Twenty three samples [52.27%] were HBV DNA positive by one or more of the three methods and 21 samples [47.73 3/4] were HBV DNA negative by the three methods. Twenty one samples [47.73 3/4] were HBV DNA positive by Amplicor HBV Monitor and their cops number ranged from 440 - 40x106 copies/ml. Ten samples [22.73%] were HBV DNA positive by in House HBV PCR with copy number ranged from 6400 - 40 x 106 copies/ml. Eight samples [18.18%] were HBV DNA positive by NBV branched DNA [bDNA] and their copy number ranged from I.2x106 40x106 copies/ml. Branched DNA [bDNA] versus Amplicor HBV Monitor showed that: [i] bDNA and Arnplicor HBV Monitor gave concordant results for 27 [61.63%] of 44 the samples. The assays were both positive in six samples [13.64%]. The assays were both negative in 21 samples [47.73%]. [ii] bDNA and Amplicor HBV Monitor gave discordant results in 17 cases [38.64%]: bDNA was positive and Amplicor HBV Monitor negative in two cases [4.55%]. While bDNA was negative and Amplicor HBV Monitor positive in 15 cases [34.1%], HBV-DNA load in the Monitor assay was higher in 14] NA positive samples [mean = 9.7 x 106 copies/ml] than bDNA negative samples [mean 4.1 x 104 copies ml]. In House positive [mean = 9.7 x 106 copies/ml] than bDNA negative samples [mean 4.1 x 104 copies/ml]. In House PCR and Amplicor HBV Monitor showed that [i] In House PCR and Amplicor HBV Monitor gave concordant results with 33 of the 44 samples [75.0%]. The assays were both positive with to samples [22.73%]. The assays were both negative in 23 cases [52.27%] [ii] In House PCR and Amplicor HBV Monitor gave discordant results in 11 cases [25.0%] In House PCR was negative and Amplicor HBV Monitor gave discordant results in 11 casses [26.0%] in House PCR was negative and Amplicor HBV Monitor gave discordant resutlds in 11 cases [25.0%]. In House PCR was negative and Amplicor HBV Montor positive in these ii cases. HBV-DNA load in the Monitor assay was higher in In House PCR positive samples [mean 5.88 x 106 copies/ml] than In House PCR negative samples [mean 21 x 102 copies mb. In House PCR versus bDNA showed that: [i] in House PCR and bDNA gave concordant results with 38 of the 44 samples [86.36%]. The assays were both positive in six cases [13.64%]. The assays were both negative in 32 caes [72.73%]. [ii] In House PCR and bDNA gave discordant results in six cases [13.64%] In House PCR was positive and bDNA negative with four samples [0.09%]. In House PCR was negative and bDNA positive with two samples [4.55%]. HBV-DNA load in the Monitor assay was higher in bDNA positive samples [mean x 10 copies mb than In House PCR positive samples [mean 5.88 x 102 copies mb. The monitor assasy was more sensitive than both the In House PCR and bDNA. This better sensitivity appeared to be clinically relevant [even their respective performance, these three assays should be used in complementary fashion in the management of HBV infected patients