Low serum hyaluronic acid levels associated with spontaneous HBsAg clearance.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The pathophysiological underlying mechanism of spontaneous HBsAg clearance in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients is largely unknown. However, serum hyaluronic acid (sHA) plays a role in liver fibrosis progression and reversely could serve as a potential biomarker for HBsAg clearance. This study investigates whether low sHA is associated with HBsAg loss in non-Asian HBV patients.

Methods

Non-Asian women living in Amsterdam with known chronic HBV infection between 1990-2003 were invited for a single follow-up visit at the Municipal Health Service Amsterdam between September 2011 to May 2012. Serum hyaluronic acid and liver stiffness measurement together with clinical evaluation, biochemical and virologic blood tests were performed.

Results

Of the 160 wome

SUBMITTER: Harkisoen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4607722 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature