The relationship between HBV viral loads and liver damage severity in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B

Aim:To study the relationship between serum HBV DNA levels and liver histology damage in the patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Methods: The retrospective study was performed.The patients were divided into two groups according to the HBeAg status and the HBeAg positive group was as control.The relationship among HBV DNA levels,ALT levels and histological inflammation grading was analyzed.Results: The HBV DNA levels in HBeAg-negative group and HBeAg-positive group were 1.2×107copies/mL,8.2×107 copies/mL respectively (P=0.000).In HBeAg-negative group,HBV DNA levels displayed a positive correlation with ALT levels(rs=0.261,P=0.000).The histological inflammation grading in HBeAg-negative group was lower,compared with HBeAg-positive group(P=0.032).HBV DNA levels displayed a positive correlation with histological inflammation grading in the patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B(rs=0.371,P=0.009).Conclusion:In the patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B,HBV viral loads are lower,and HBV viral loads display a positive correlation with ALT levels and liver histological inflammation grading.