Different models of HBeAg seroconversion predicated by on-treatment ALT and HBV DNA profiles

J Viral Hepat. 2009 Dec;16(12):876-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2009.01145.x. Epub 2009 Jul 22.

Abstract

Pretreatment alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation may be used as a predictor for higher hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients. However, the role of dynamic changes of on-treatment ALT for seroconversion is unknown. A total of 170 naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were treated with a nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NA), either lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, or telbivudine, for at least 2 years and followed up for 1 more year. Clinical characteristics were detected and analysed at baseline and at 3-month intervals. On-treatment ALT predicted HBeAg seroconversion more accurately than baseline ALT. Among the patients with on-treatment ALT </=1 x UNL, 1-</=2 x UNL, 2-</=5 x UNL and >5 x UNL, HBeAg seroconversion was 11.4, 5.4, 24.4 and 65.0% (odds ratio = 1.0, 0.4, 2.5 and 14.4, respectively), respectively. Moreover, two models/types of seroconversion were observed. Type I was characterized by rapidly decreased ALT and HBV DNA during the first 3-month interval, but with high HBeAg reversion rate (50%) after consolidation treatment. Type II was a slow decreased DNA procedure accompanied by significant elevated ALT with less reversion (23%). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a 1.9-fold increased ALT ratio (present visit ALT: previous visit ALT) accompanied by at least a 0.8 log decreased HBV DNA may be used to classify these two seroconversion types. We conclude that on-treatment elevated ALT levels is a better predictor for seroconversion after NAs treatment, and HBV DNA profiles may help to identify different models of seroconversion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenine / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • DNA, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Guanine / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / blood*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nucleosides / therapeutic use
  • Organophosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis
  • Pyrimidinones / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Telbivudine
  • Thymidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • Nucleosides
  • Organophosphonates
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Telbivudine
  • Lamivudine
  • entecavir
  • Guanine
  • adefovir
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Adenine
  • Thymidine