We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBE SCIENTIFIC, LLC

Download Mobile App




Serum HBV RNA Quantification Monitors Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 May 2019
Chronic hepatitis B viral infection is a global health problem, especially in the Asian-Pacific region. More...
Approximately 1.2 million people in the USA and 350 million people worldwide have Hepatitis B. and about 650,000 people die annually from HBV infection related liver failure, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Drugs rarely lead to elimination of chronic HBV infection completely due to their little effect on covalently closed circular DNA, which is believed to be the main cause of viral persistence. As an alternative biomarker of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcriptional activity, HBV RNA may evolve during long-lasting virus-host interactions during chronic hepatitis B viral infection.

Scientists from the Second Military Medical University (Shanghai, China) enrolled 291 treatment-naïve chronic HBV carriers. Based on the clinical, biochemical, serological, and histological data as well as HBV DNA levels, patients were classified into the following four categories: the immune-tolerant phase (IT, n = 35), HBeAg-positive immune-active phase (EPIA, n = 121), inactive chronic hepatitis B (ICH, n = 58) and HBeAg-negative immune reactive hepatitis (ENH, n = 77).

The parameters and distribution patterns of serum HBV RNA were evaluated in relation to viral replication status, immune phase, disease category and Child-Pugh class. The relationships between serum HBV RNA and other serum hepatitis B viral markers were also analyzed. The HBV RNA was detected by the RNA simultaneous amplification testing method (HBV-SAT) based on real-time fluorescence detection of RNA transcription-mediated nucleic acid amplification using the HBV-SAT kit.

RNA extraction, amplification and detection were processed on an automated Auto SAT system from Shanghai Rendu biotechnology. Serum HBsAg levels were measured by using commercially available kits that has a dynamic range was 0.05–250 IU/mL. Serum HBV DNA was quantified by using the Determination Kit for hepatitis B viral DNA, with a detection range of 5 × 102 copies/mL to 5 × 108 copies/mL.

The team reported that serum HBV RNA levels were significantly lower in the HBeAg-negative patients compared to those in the HBeAg-positive patients, with the lowest levels seen in inactive carriers. In HBeAg-negative patients, serum HBV RNA levels increased if there is reactivation to active hepatitis and showed obvious superiority for the combination of serum HBV DNA (cutoff >3.39 Log copies/mL) and HBsAg (cutoff >2.74 Log IU/mL) in discriminating between 'HBeAg-negative immune reactive' phase and inactive chronic hepatitis B phases of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection. Serum HBV RNA levels were positively correlated with serum HBV DNA and HBsAg levels in all chronic HBV-infected patients.

The authors concluded that during the natural course of chronic HBV infection, serum HBV RNA levels vary. Serum HBV RNA can act as a biomarker to predict the natural history of disease in chronic hepatitis B patients. In treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected individuals, serum HBV RNA shows superiority in differentiating the “HBeAg-negative reactive” phase. The study was published on April 16, 2019, in the journal BMC Gastroenterology.

Related Links:
Second Military Medical University


Gold Member
Troponin T QC
Troponin T Quality Control
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Staining Management Software
DakoLink
New
Specimen Radiography System
TrueView 200 Pro
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more

Pathology

view channel
These images illustrate how precision oncology Organ Chips recapitulate individual patients’ responses to chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Wyss Institute at Harvard University)

Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the two primary types of esophageal cancer, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective targeted therapies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.