Hepatitis B seroconversion yields good outlook

liver411

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   Source:  Virus Weekly, June 18, 2002 p3.
                                                                              
    Title:  Hepatitis B seroconversion yields good outlook for most
            patients.(Brief Article)
                                                                              
Subjects:  Hepatitis B - Prognosis
            Liver cirrhosis - Risk factors
            Liver cancer - Risk factors
Locations:  Taiwan
SIC code:  8730
                                                                              
Electronic Collection:  A87152120
                   RN:  A87152120
                                                                              

Full Text COPYRIGHT 2002 NewsRX

2002 JUN 18 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Sonia Nichols, senior medical writer - Patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) who experience seroconversion can expect to have a good outlook for the future in most instances. However, a minority of individuals will still remain at risk for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

A review of 283 patients who were followed for a year or more after undergoing hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion illustrates fewer cases of cirrhosis and liver cancer among those individuals, yet the risk of active hepatitis returning remains, according to Yao-Shih Hsu and coauthors, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

During HBeAg seroconversion antibody is formed. Nearly 70% of the
seroconverted patients demonstrated a sustained remission during the follow-up period, which lasted a median of 8.6 years. The rest, according to
investigators, developed elevated levels of the liver enzyme alanine
aminotransferase. HBeAg reversion and the presence of HBV DNA accounted for most cases of elevated enzyme, with the others remaining unexplainable.

"Of the 269 patients without evidence of cirrhosis at the time of HBeAg
seroconversion, 21 (7.8%) developed cirrhosis with a cumulative incidence and relative risk significantly higher in patients developing active hepatitis
than in patients with sustained remission," reported Hsu and colleagues.

Hepatocellular carcinoma, or primary liver cancer, formed in just over 2% of
the seroconverted group, and the risk of cancer formation correlated with
having active hepatitis, researchers said (Long-term outcome after spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B, Hepatology, June 2002;35(6):1522-1527).

"The results suggest that spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion confers favorable long-term outcomes. However, active hepatitis still may develop and lead to cirrhosis and HCC," study authors stated.

The corresponding author for this study is Yun-Fan Liaw, Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 199, Tung Hwa North Rd, Taipei, Taiwan 105.

Key points reported in this study include:

* A third of HBeAg seroconverted patients exhibited elevated liver enzyme that was unexplainable or associated with HBeAg reversion or HBV DNA

* Return to active hepatitis among those with HBeAg seroconversion associated with the risk for forming primary liver cancer

* The outlook for those who experience HBeAg is favorable overall, but there is still a slight risk for hepatitis activity and the formation of cirrhosis
and liver cancer

This article was prepared by Virus Weekly editors from staff and other
reports.
                                                                              
                                -- End --