ABSTRACT
The existence of HBV-DNA in the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and in the serum of 61 patients with HBV infection was determined with southern blot and dot blot hybridization,and that in the liver tissue of 31 patients out of the 61 with southern blot and in situ hybridization.The positive rate of HBV-DNA in the serum,mononuclear cells and hepatocytrs was 26.2% (16/61),24.6% (15/61) and 44.8% (13/31) respectively.There was no concordance of the existence of HBV-DNA in the serum,peripheral mono-nuclear cells and hepatocytes in an individual.For example,HBV-DNA was absent in the serum but present in mononuclear cells and hepatocytes in 11 cases.In fact,peripheral mononuclsar cells can serve as the reservoir for HBV to replicate.It cannot be denied that HBV can replicate in an individual even though HBV-DNA is negative in the serum.