Quantitative detection of hepatitis B virus DNA and its significance

AIM To detect the copy number of HBV-DNA in serum and to know the amount of HBV-DNA in different serological marker combinations. METHODS HBV-DNA was quantified by AmpliSensor PCR and HBV-M was detect-ed by ELISA in 208 sera with different clinical characteristics. The mean amount of HBV-DNA was counted in different serological marker combinations. RESULTS The quantity of HBV was divided into the high titer,the middle titer and the low titer. More than 10 7 copies·mL -1 were the high titer. The middle titer was between 10 7 copies·mL -1 and 10 5 copies·mL -1 . Less than 10 5 copies·mL -1 were the low titer. In 60 HBsAg(+) HBeAg(+) HBcAb(+) samples, HBV-DNA was positive, with 1.8×10 8 copies·mL -1 of HBV on average. In 48 HBsAg(+) HBeAb(+) HBcAb(+) samples, the average was 6.4×10 6 copies·mL -1 . In 30 HBsAg(+) HBcAb(+) samples, the average was 8.5×10 5 copies·mL -1 . In 13 HBsAb(+) HBeAb(+) HBcAb(+) samples, the amount was 2.1×10 5 copies·mL -1 . CONCLUSION Quantitative PCR can be used to monitor the true state of HBV infection, replication and the course of disease.