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Chapter-11 HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

BOOK TITLE: Comprehensive Textbook of Hepatitis B

Author
1. Mamun-Al-Mahtab
2. Akbar SM Fazle
ISBN
9789350250815
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11250_11
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2011
Pages
6
Author Affiliations
1. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2. Toshiba General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Considerable numbers of patients with chronic HBV infection do not express HBeAg. Natural course of HBV indicates that in some cases loss of HBeAg is accompanied by resolution or down regulation of diseases activity. Usually HBV DNA is reduced and serum ALT levels are reduced in these patients. On the other hand, some HBeAg-negative patient show increased expression of HBV DNA and elevated ALT. Recent studies have shown that many HBeAg-negative patients exhibit severe liver damages and hepatic fibrosis in liver biopsy specimens even with low HBV DNA. Interestingly, HBeAg-negative patients have also shown severe hepatic fibrosis and normal ALT levels. Studies from developing countries have shown that HBeAg-negative patients may form the major bulk of chronic hepatitis B patients in these countries. The pathogenesis of HBeAg-negative CHB should be fully elaborated. Also, therapeutic regimen for these patients deserves serious consideration. A sketch of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection has been given in this chapter.

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