附:
A large population study of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion and acute exacerbation of chronichepatitis B infection: implications for antiviral therapyM-F Yuen, H-J Yuan, C-K Hui, D K-H Wong, W-M Wong, A O-O Chan, B C-Y Wong,C-L Lai.............................................................................................................................Gut 2003;52:416–419Background and aim: Clinical data on spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion
and acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection from large population studies are
lacking. In the present study we examined the clinical features and significance of HBeAg seroconver-
sion and acute exacerbation in 3063 Chinese CHB patients.
Methods: Clinical assessment, liver biochemistry, hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology and HBV DNA, time
of HBeAg seroconversion, and acute exacerbation were monitored.
Results: Median age at HBeAg seroconversion was 34.5 years. The cumulative HBeAg seroconversion rate significantly increased with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels on presentation for (p<0.0001). For patients with ALT levels more than twice the upper limit of normal (ULN) on presentation, the HBeAg seroconversion rate at the fifth year of follow up was 72.4%. After HBeAg seroconversion, 65.2% (73/110) of patients had undetectable HBV DNA levels by the Digene Hybrid Capture assay. Of these, 78.1% still had HBV DNA levels detectable by the Amplicor HBV Monitor Test. We found that 37.5% antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe) positive patients had undetectable HBV DNA levels by the Digene Hybrid Capture assay before acute exacerbation. Acute exacerbations of longer duration, with higher peak ALT, bilirubin, and α fetoprotein levels were associated with an increased HBeAg seroconversion rate (p<0.0001–0.045). Acute exacerbation with peak ALT levels more than five times the ULN carried a 46.4% chance of HBeAg seroconversion within three months. HBeAg seroreversion and mortality occurred in 2.7% and 0.7% of acute exacerbations, respectively.
Conclusion: In the present study we have provided information on HBeAg seroconversion and acute
exacerbation, which are important in decision making for CHB treatment and in designing clinical trials.