The Rate of Spontaneous Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance in Inactive Hepatitis B Carriers: A Study from Medium Endemic Area

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Kose Ş., Ersan G., Tatar B. G., Ulusoy M. T., Akkoclu G.

TURKIYE KLINIKLERI TIP BILIMLERI DERGISI, vol.32, no.4, pp.1039-1042, 2012 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the rate of spontaneous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in inactive chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. We compared demographic and laboratory characteristics between the patients with and without seroclearance. Material and Methods: This study included retrospective evaluation of 2428 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The patients with HBsAg positivity for at least 6 months with HBV-DNA levels lower than 104 copies/ml, with normal serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, negative for HBeAg, and with detectable anti-HBe antibodies were enrolled in the study. HBsAg seroclearence rates were determined, and the groups with and without seroclearance were compared in demographic and laboratory aspects. Results: The annual rate of spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in the study group was 0.17%. Among patients with seroclearance, the annual rate of seroconversion was 1%. There was no statistically significant difference between groups for demographic characteristics. HBV DNA levels were significantly lower in patients with seroclearance (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed that annual HBsAg seroclearance rate in inactive chronic HBV infection was 0.17% after 11 years of follow-up. The rate may increase with longer duration of follow-up. The association with viral/host genotypes and seroclearence rate demands further analysis.