Diagnostic value of serum pregenomic RNA in hepatitis B virus-infected patients with different clinical outcomes

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To assess the diagnostic value of serum pgRNA in patients with different clinical outcomes after HBV infection and its relevance with serum-related parameters. Methods This study recruited 210 HBV-infected patients treated with nucleoside analogues, classified as asymptomatic carriers (ASC), chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and cirrhosis (LC) according to different outcomes, each group with 70 cases. The difference of pgRNA levels among each group was compared and their correlation with HBV DNA and HbsAg was evaluated. Results HBV pgRNA levels were significantly different among these three groups. HBV pgRNA levels were significantly correlated with serum HBV DNA and HBsAg Levels (HBV pgRNA and HBV DNA: R=0.613, P<0.001; HBV pgRNA and HbsAg: R=0.503, P<0.001). Of the patients with HBV DNA levels <500 IU/mL, 72.8% were HBV pgRNA positive and 17.6% of patients were still positive in patients with DNA below 20 IU/mL. Conclusion Serum HBV pgRNA level was a proper marker reflecting viral replication in hepatocytes. HBV pgRNA levels was helpful in the monitor of cccDNA levels.

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, Pregenomic RNA, Covalently closed circular DNA, HBsAg

MA Hai-xia, ZHAO Li-ping, CHEN Wen-jie, HU Wei-hong, ZHANG Shi-kun. Diagnostic value of serum pregenomic RNA in hepatitis B virus-infected patients with different clinical outcomes[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2021, 26(10): 1150-1153.

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