Persistence of hepatitis B virus DNA demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction in serum and liver after loss of HBsAg induced by antiviral therapy
Article Abstract:
Hepatitis B is the inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of this virus can be detected by a chemical reaction called the polymerase chain reaction, which increases nucleic acids. Studies have shown that HBV-DNA can be detected by the polymerase chain reaction even in the absence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which is another component of the virus. The presence of HBV-DNA was assessed using the polymerase chain reaction in the blood, white blood cells, and liver of two patients with chronic hepatitis B. After antiviral therapy, these patients developed antibodies or specialized proteins that bind to the HBsAg, and thereby remove this component from the blood. The results show that, despite antiviral therapy and the absence of HBsAg, HBV-DNA was detected in the blood of these patients and may have originated from the liver, where the viral nucleic acid was also identified. Thus, antiviral therapy with adenine arabinoside monophosphate (ARA-AMP) does not appear to completely eradicate all components of the hepatitis B virus. It is not known whether the presence of HBV-DNA will influence HBV transmission in patients with HBV infection, but without HBsA. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1990
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Influence of hepatitis G virus infection on the severity of liver disease and response to interferon-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Article Abstract:
Patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) may also be infected with the hepatitis G virus (HGV). The presence of HGV, however, does not appear to affect treatment effectiveness or liver disease severity. Tests for HGV and comparisons of interferon-alpha (-a) effectiveness were performed on 228 patients treated for HCV infections. Twenty-one percent of these patients tested positive for HGV. The percentage was higher for intravenous drug users and those with the HCV genetic subtype 3a. Thirteen percent of the patients with HGV and 15% of those without HGV had long-term success with interferon-a treatment.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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Long-term histologic improvement and loss of detectable intrahepatic HCV RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C and sustained response to interferon-alpha therapy
Article Abstract:
Patients with chronic hepatitis C who show a sustained response to treatment with interferon-alpha may have a low risk of relapse and low risk for the development of further complications. Eighty patients treated with interferon-alpha who had normal liver enzyme levels and negative tests for the virus 6 months after treatment ended were followed for 1 to 7.6 years. During this follow-up period, 93% continued to have normal liver function tests, 96% tested negative for the virus, and 94% showed cellular improvement when liver biopsies taken before and after the treatment were compared.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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