Abstract
Aims: To prospectively study whether occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can promote the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic liver disease. In addition, to evaluate the difference among HBV DNA-negative patients and patients with high and low HBV copy numbers. Methods: A total of 167 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease without HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) were studied. HBV DNA in liver tissue was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: HBV DNA was detected in 9 of 167 patients (5.4%) by single PCR and in 25 patients (15.0%) by nested PCR. HCC developed in 12 of 167 patients (7.2%). Ten of 142 HBV DNA-negative patients (7.0%) and 2 of 9 patients with a high HBV copy number (22.2%) developed HCC, whereas none of 16 patients with a low HBV copy number developed HCC. The incidence rate of HCC in patients with a high HBV copy number was significantly higher than in HBV DNA-negative patients and patients with low HBV copy number. Conclusion: A high amount of HBV DNA in liver tissue of HBsAg-negative patients with HCV-related liver disease might be associated with HCC development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 59-68 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Intervirology |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2008 |
Keywords
- Hepatitis B virus
- Hepatitis B virus DNA
- Hepatitis C virus
- Hepatocarcinogenesis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
