Relationship of serum HBV DNA levels and pathological changes of liver tissue in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Objective To determine the relationship between serum HBV DNA levels and the inflammation activity and fibrosis of the liver tissues in the patients with HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.Methods Serum HBV DNA was assayed in 103 patients with HBeAg-positive and 81 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.Liver biopsy was conducted simultaneously to determine the inflammation grade and fibrosis stage of the liver tissues.Results There were correlation between the inflammation activity and fibrosis of liver tissue and the serum HBV DNA levels in 81 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(r=0.326,P0.01;r=0.267,P0.05),but no correlation in 103 patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B(r=0.125,P0.05;r=0.164,P0.05).Conclusion Serum HBV DNA level can reflect the liver inflammation activity and fibrosis in the patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B,which may be the indicator for choosing anti-virus therapy and evaluating effects on HBV replication.