ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the serum γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GGT) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in different immune status and investigate their relationship with HBV DNA loads and ALT levels. Methods Blood samples were collected from 191 patients with chronic HBV infection in different immune status, including inactive HBV carrier state (group B,n = 55), immune tolerance phase (group C, n=47), HBeAg-negative CHB (group D, n =17), immune-reactive phase (group E, n=72) and 61 healthy individuals ( group A) for the detection of the serum γ-GGT, ALT level and HBV DNA loads. Results γ-GGT level were obviously higher in groups D and E than those in groups of A, B and C (P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the γ-GGT levels were positively correlated with serum ALT , AST levels in HBeAg-negative CHB and immune-reactive phase , but not correlated with HBV DNA loads. Conclusions The levels of γ-GGT are different during different immune status in patients with chronic HBV infection. The increased serum γ-GGT level may be an indicator for patients with chronic HBV infection entering immune active phase. The liver inflammation is the major impact factor to the γ-GGT levels.