Investigating the Correlation between Semi quantitative HBeAg and HBV DNA Levels: Validating HBeAg Quantification as a Marker in Asymptomatic HBeAg-Positive Carriers

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health challenge, annually contributing to approximately one million deaths from complications such as liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 3rd March 2020 to 2nd September 2020. Inclusion criteria required patients to be HBsAg positive for at least six months, resulting in a total of 101 patients included in this study. HBsAg and HBeAg were detected using ELISA, while HBV DNA levels were quantified by real-time PCR. Result: The study found that 47% of the patients belonged to the 26-45 years age group, with 62% being male and 38% female (male-to-female ratio 1.63:1). Among HBeAg-positive cases, 86.84% had high viral loads (>105 copies/ml), while 13.16% exhibited medium viral loads (103 – 105 copies/ml). Among HBeAg-negative cases, 6.35% showed detectable HBV DNA with low viral loads (<102 copies/ml). Higher sample-to-cut-off ratios (S/CO) indicated elevated HBV DNA levels in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients compared to lower ratios in HBeAg-negative patients. Conclusion: Chronic hepatitis B represents a serious viral disease that, without careful monitoring, can lead to the development of HCC and cirrhosis in a significant proportion of patients. Regular surveillance and effective management strategies are essential in mitigating these risks.