Correlation between the prevalence of serum HBV DNA and immunoserologic HBV markers in the subjects with or without hepatitis.

The prevalence of serum HBV DNA, detected by polymerase chain reaction, and that of immunoserologic HBV markers (HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc), determined by immunoassays, were compared among three groups of subjects: (A) chronic active hepatitis B patients, (B) chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers, and (C) normal individuals. Except five of the normal individuals, all of the subjects are positive for anti-HBc while some of them were also positive for other immunoserologic HBV markers, such as anti-HBs, HBsAg, and HBeAg. Serum HBV DNA were detected in 81% in group A, 52% in group B, and 20% in group C. In both group A and B, serum HBV DNA were detected in all the subjects with anti-HBc+/HBsAg+/HBeAg+. However, the percentage of seropositive HBV DNA in the subjects with anti-HBc+/HBsAg+ in Group A was much higher than that in Group B. Interestingly, the percent of serum HBV DNA+ in the individuals with anti-HBc+ only was markedly higher than that in the subjects with anti-HBc+/anti-HBs+ in both Group A and C, suggesting that anti-HBs may play a role in the inhibition of HBV replication and clearance of HBV virion from blood. Above serological profiles will provide important information concerning the significance of serum HBV DNA detection in judgement of HBV replication in the individuals with or without HBV infection. Cautions should be taken to clarify those so called normal individuals who have no symptoms of hepatitis B, no HBsAg in the sera and normal transaminase, but have HBV replication in their bodies.