Correlation of pathology in chronic hepatitis B to viral markers in serum and hepatic tissue

Objective To investigate the relation of the viral markers in serum and those expressed by hepatocytes to pathological lesions of hepatic tissue in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods The relation of viral markers including HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb and HBV DNA in serum of 647 patients with chronic hepatitis B and HBsAg, HBcAg expressed by hepatocytes in 418 of these patients to pathological lesions of hepatic tissue was determined. Results Viral markers in serum and those expressed by hepatocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis B were closely correlated with pathological lesions of hepatic tissue. Conclusions The degree of inflammation and fibrosis in hepatic tissue is milder in serum HBsAg, HBeAb, HBcAb positive and HBV DNA negative patients but more serious in those with negative hepatocytic expression of HBsAg and HBcAg. HBV DNA is not significantly associated with pathological lesions of hepatic tissue.