Distinct patterns of serum hepatitis B core-related antigen during the natural history of chronic hepatitis B.
BACKGROUND
The current clinical practice on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) requires better on-treatment monitoring of viral persistence. Quantified assays for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core-related antigen (HBcrAg) hold promise for further optimization of therapy. Here, we aimed to characterize HBcrAg during the natural course of CHB.


METHODS
Four-hundred and forty four treatment naïve CHB patients, who all underwent liver histology examination, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Their HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcrAg titres were quantified and analyzed in the context of four distinct clinical phases. Correlation of HBcrAg and HBsAg with other markers were performed. The relationship between liver and serum antigen levels were also assessed.


RESULTS
HBcrAg, like HBsAg, exhibited high degree of correlation with HBV DNA. However, a more significant linear relationship was found between HBcrAg and HBeAg titre in immune tolerant (IT) and immune clearance (IC) phases, while in HBeAg negative hepatitis (ENH) group, HBV DNA is a major determinant of HBcrAg. Significant difference was observed in liver HBcAg score and HBcrAg level in both IT and IC phases whereas barely significant positive correlations between liver HBsAg score and HBsAg titre was documented.


CONCLUSION
HBcrAg titre exhibited distinct correlative profile in a phase-specific manner. In addition, its level is well-related to the intrahepatic expression of core antigen. It has a considerable utility in monitoring and refining antiviral therapy.
['Zhang|Zhan-Qing|ZQ|', 'Zhang|Xiao-Nan|XN|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1286-7280', 'Lu|Wei|W|', 'Wang|Yan-Bing|YB|', 'Weng|Qi-Cheng|QC|', 'Feng|Yan-Ling|YL|']
D000328:Adult D000998:Antiviral Agents D015415:Biomarkers D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004279:DNA, Viral D005260:Female D006509:Hepatitis B D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic D006801:Humans D016014:Linear Models D008099:Liver D008297:Male D019562:Viral Load
HBsAg HBcrAg HBV