ABSTRACT
The presence of HBV-DNA in the patient's serum without detectable HBV surface antigen [HBsAg.] called occult infection. Detection of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C virus patients was investigated by using qualitative PCR. Co-infection with occult HBV in chronic HCV patients increases the risk for progression to hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC].Detection of CD45-CD90+ as a biomarker in HCC patients by flow cytometry. We searched for serum HBV DNA in 30 patients with histologically verified HCV-related chronic liver disease, in addition to 10 healthy control subjects collected at National Liver Institute in Shebin El-Kom, Monofiya University, Egypt from January, 2010 to October, 2010. Off 40 patients, the sera of 9 [15.0%] were positive for HBV DNA by the different PCR assays, documenting an occult HBV infection. It found that 5 patient samples are positive for HBV DNA [Surface gene] [12.5%] of total 40 patient samples, also 3 patient samples are positive for HBV DNA [X gene] [7.5%] of total 40 patient samples, and only one patient sample was positive HBV DNA [core gene] [2.5%] of total 40 patient samples. Only two samples from the nine positive samples were positive for both Xgene and Surface gene. In conclusion these data suggest that occult HBV infection may have clinical significance in chronic hepatitis C patients