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Hepatitis B Core Antigen Expression in Hepatocytes Reflects Viral Response to Entecavir in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients
Gut and Liver ; : 462-468, 2013.
Article in English | WPRIM | ID: wpr-124625
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/

AIMS:

Hepatitis B core antigen is known to be a major target for virus-specific T cells and also reflects the progression of liver dissease and viral replication. Hepatitis B core antigen expression in hepatocytes leads to altered histological activity, viral replication, and immune response. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the topographical distribution of hepatitis B core antigen expression can predict the viral response to entecavir in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS:

We enrolled 91 patients with treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B. All the patients underwent liver biopsy, and the existence and pattern of hepatitis B core antigen evaluated by immunohistochemistry. All patients received 0.5 mg of entecavir daily following a liver biopsy. We checked the viral response at 3, 6, and 12 months during antiviral therapy.

RESULTS:

Of the 91 patients, 64 (70.3%) had hepatitis B core antigen expression. Of the subcellular patterns, the mixed type was dominant (n=48, 75%). The viral response was significantly higher in the hepatitis B core antigen-negative group than in the hepatitis B core antigen-positive group (88.9% and 54.7%, respectively; p=0.001) after 12 months of entecavir therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Chronic hepatitis B patients who are hepatitis B core antigen-negative have a better response to entecavir therapy than do hepatitis B core antigen-positive patients.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Index: WPRIM (Western Pacific) Main subject: Biopsy / Immunohistochemistry / T-Lymphocytes / Hepatitis B virus / Hepatitis B, Chronic / Hepatocytes / Guanine / Hepatitis / Hepatitis B / Hepatitis B Core Antigens Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Gut and Liver Year: 2013 Type: Article

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Full text: Available Index: WPRIM (Western Pacific) Main subject: Biopsy / Immunohistochemistry / T-Lymphocytes / Hepatitis B virus / Hepatitis B, Chronic / Hepatocytes / Guanine / Hepatitis / Hepatitis B / Hepatitis B Core Antigens Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Gut and Liver Year: 2013 Type: Article