HBV DNA in the Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Chronic HBV Infected Individuals Who Became HBsAg-Serocleared or Seroconverted

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and liver diseases. In the event of seroclearance or seroconversion, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) may be cleared or reduced to levels below the detection limit but very low quantities of viral DNA may be detectable as occult HBV infection (OBI). Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of HBV DNA in the serum and PBMCs of individuals with HBsAg loss, with or without anti-HBs. Methods: Sixty out of 1116 patients who referred to the private clinic were selected and divided into two groups: serocleared and seroconverted. Serological markers of HBV were measured by ELISA assay and HBV DNA in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) were measured by quantitative real time PCR. Results: A total of sixty cases (38 males, 22 females) with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled. The mean age of serocleared and seroconverted groups was 50.5 ± 13.1and 49 ± 11, respectively. Among the serocleared and seroconverted subjects, 3 and 2 became HBsAg positive, respectively. HBV DNA was detected in the PBMCs of four out of 27 serocleared patients (14.8%) and three out of 28 seroconverted (10.7%). By multivariate analysis, age, gender, duration of disease and serological situation of patients had no effects on patients’ relapse (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In patients with CHB, who became HBsAg negative if the serum antibody is formed, there is a possibility of disease recurrence. Moreover, recurrence may be predicted considering the viral load in PBMCs.