RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relation between hepatitis B virus DNA load and genotype with the level of large envelope protein.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum HBV DNA was quantitively detected by using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The LHBs were detected by using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and HBV markers were detected by time differentiate immunofluorescence assay in 140 serum samples collected from chronic hepatitis B patients.The genotypes of HBV were identified by DNA sequencing; and analyze their relationship.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference between positive rate of LHBs and that of HBV DNA in HBeAg negative and positive group (P > 0.05); The HBV LHBs absorbency was markedly correlated with the HBV DNA load ( R2 = 0.9267). The difference of HBV LHBs absorbency between HBV genotype B and C was not significant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The close correlation between HBV LHBs absorbence and HBV DNA load illustrated that he level of serum LHBs can be used to estimate the state of HBV replication; and there is no relationship between HBV LHBs absorbency and genotypes. So HBV LHBs may be used as a new serological marker to detect HBV replication.</p>