Background:
Serologic assays for the hepatitis B viral markers have been done routinely in the many clinical laboratories since early 1970,s. But the results of these assays are often confusing in the clinical interpretation, and it is necessary to
detect
HBV-DNA particles by Polymerase Chain reaction(PCR) which is highly sensitive. However, the positivity of HBV-PCR may be different according to the kinds of primer pairs or the patient's clinicla status. For these reasons, we compared the results
of
HBV-=PCR using 3 different primers with those of serological assays.
Methods:
We analyzed the data from 100 patients and 50 healthy blood donors referred for the evaluation of serologic markers and HBV-PCR using 3 different primers, over a period from September 1994 to February 1995. Five serologic marker(HBsAg/Ab,
HBeAg/Ab,
HBcAb) studies were performed by ELISA and PCR studies were done using 3 different specific primers for the preC/C, S, and X gene of HBV, respectively.
Results:
HBV-PCR positivities were 71% and 21% in cases of HBsAg positive and negative, respectively. Most cases(88%) of HBsAg-and-HBeAg positive were HBV-PCR positive. But some cases(38%) of HBsAg-positive with seroconversion of HBeAg to HBeAb were
found to
have HBV-DNA particles. These was no significant correlation between ALT levels and HBV-PCR results among 86 HBsAg-positive cases(p>.01). The patterns of HBV-PCR positive cases were followed; +/+/+(41%), +/+/-(8%), +/-/+(9%), and +/-/-/(42%);
according
to the specific primers for the gene of preC/C, S, and X region, respectively. And there was no case of preC/c gene negative and S or X gene positive
Conclusions:
The PCR assay seems to be potentially a valuable diagnostic tool for the evaluation of variable serologic status and may help to assess the condition of patients related with HBV infection. But HBV infection. But the selection of the primers
in
HBV-PCR testing may be very important because they can influence the HBV-PCR positivity.
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