Serum hepatitis B core antibody as a biomarker of hepatic inflammation in chronic hepatitis B patients with normal alanine aminotransferase.

ABSTRACT: Our previous studies unexpectedly indicated that the level of serum hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) was positively correlated with the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. The aim of this study was to determine whether anti-HBc could serve as a potential biomarker for the detection of liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, especially in patients with normal ALT levels. Serum anti-HBc levels were quantified in 655 treatment-naïve CHB patients, including 45 patients who underwent two liver biopsies (baseline phase and the 78^th weeks of antiviral-treatment). Serum anti-HBc levels increased significantly along with the increasing histology activity index (HAI) score. After antiviral-treatment, patients with HAI score reduction had significant decline i

SUBMITTER: Zhou J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5459818 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature