Relationship between serum HBV DNA levels,AST/ALT ratio and liver histology in chronic hepatitis B

[Objective] To investigate the relationship between serum HBV DNA levels,AST/ALT ratio and liver tissues in patients with chronic hepatitis B.[Methods] Routine biochemical liver function tests and serum HBV DNA level were assayed by amplisensor quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 211 patients;and the liver biopsy was performed and the the grading and staging of the liver were routinely obtained.[Results] There was not obvious correlation between serum HBV DNA level and the grading and staging.The AST/ALT ratio in the cirrhosis group were significantly higher than those in the normal group,mild hepatitis group,and moderate to severe hepatitis group.At the cutoff value of 1 for AST/ALT ratio,the sensitivities were 85.7% and specificities were 84.6% for discriminating cirrhosis(fibrosis score:4).[Conclusion] There is no significant correlation between serum HBV DNA and grading ang staging.AST/ALT ratio measurement may be clinically useful as markers of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis.