Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and positive for the
hepatitis B e antigen had a greater chance of hepatitis B surface
antigen seroclearance after experiencing spontaneous seroclearance of
the hepatitis B e antigen, according to data from a recent study.
Clinical data from 775 patients enrolled at the Hepatitis and Liver
Clinic of Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, were collected between
September 2005 and September 2007 to determine any factors associated
with HBsAg
seroclearance. Every patient underwent HBeAg seroclearance and were
followed until January 2013. Patients were divided into three groups:
group 1 consisted of patients that underwent HBeAg seroclearance and did
not undergo or require treatment (n=428); group 2 included patients who
received treatment-induced HBeAg seroclearance (n=197); and group 3
included patients who experienced spontaneous HBeAg seroclearance but
needed antiviral therapy after seroclearance (n=150).
“Spontaneous HBeAg seroclearance without the need for antiviral therapy
afterward was associated with the highest rate of subsequent HBsAg
seroclearance,” the researchers wrote. “The levels of HBsAg and not HBV DNA
after HBeAg seroclearance were predictive of HBsAg seroclearance. Lower
HBsAg levels were associated with higher change of future HBsAg
seroclearance.”
Read more....Labels: HBeAg seroclearance, spontaneous clearance