Keywords
Hepatitis B virus RNA
HBeAg
Submitted : 2024-01-23
Accepted : 2024-02-07
Published : 2024-02-22
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the disparities and associations between HBV DNA and HBV RNA in various liver disease groups with respect to HBeAg status. Methods: Between September 2020 and September 2023, 90 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 74 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (LC), and 102 patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from the Department of Gastroenterology or Infection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University were selected. HBV DNA, HBV RNA, and HBeAg quantitative tests were conducted using serum samples from the same patients. Results: In the three groups of cases, the HBV RNA load was higher when HBeAg was positive than when HBeAg was negative, and this difference was statistically significant. Only in the HCC group was the HBV DNA load significantly higher when HBeAg was positive than when HBeAg was negative. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between HBV DNA and HBV RNA regardless of HBeAg status. Conclusion: During HBeAg conversion, HBV RNA demonstrates a more sensitive response than HBV DNA. As CHB progresses to LC or HCC, HBV RNA exhibits better diagnostic value than HBV DNA.
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