Title: Clearance of HBsAg in seven patients with chronic hepatitis B
Abstract: HepatologyVolume 16, Issue 6 p. 1334-1337 Original ArticleFree Access Clearance of HBsAg in seven patients with chronic hepatitis B Hiroshi Adachi M.D., Corresponding Author Hiroshi Adachi M.D. First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanFirst Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Takara-Machi 13–1, Kanazawa 920 Japan===Search for more papers by this authorShuichi Kaneko, Shuichi Kaneko First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorEiki Matsushita, Eiki Matsushita First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorYutaka Inagaki, Yutaka Inagaki First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorMasashi Unoura, Masashi Unoura First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorKenichi Kobayashi, Kenichi Kobayashi First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this author Hiroshi Adachi M.D., Corresponding Author Hiroshi Adachi M.D. First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanFirst Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Takara-Machi 13–1, Kanazawa 920 Japan===Search for more papers by this authorShuichi Kaneko, Shuichi Kaneko First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorEiki Matsushita, Eiki Matsushita First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorYutaka Inagaki, Yutaka Inagaki First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorMasashi Unoura, Masashi Unoura First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this authorKenichi Kobayashi, Kenichi Kobayashi First Department of Internal Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920 JapanSearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1992 https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.1840160605Citations: 52AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract The natural history of chronic hepatitis B patients who spontaneously cleared serum HBsAg was investigated. A total of 351 patients with chronic hepatitis B were observed in our hospital for at least 3 yr. Seven of these patients became HBsAg negative during the follow-up period. HBsAg disappeared within 6 mo (range = 11 to 169 days, mean = 70 days) after acute elevation of ALT. ALT levels as high as 500 IU were found in three patients, whereas such elevation was not demonstrated in the other four patients. After the disappearance of HBsAg, ALT levels returned to normal in all patients. With one exception, all patients seroconverted to antibody to HBsAg; however, hepatitis B virus DNA remained detectable in serum using the polymerase chain reaction in five patients. The titer of percent inhibition of antibody to HBcAg gradually decreased to less than 70% when a 1:200 dilution of the serum of six patients was used. Four of the patients had active liver disease develop: two had chronic active hepatitis and two had cirrhosis. Three of these four patients subsequently had hepatocellular carcinoma develop. These findings suggest that patients may suffer complications of chronic hepatitis even after normalization of transaminase activities and after the clearance of HBsAg. Thus hepatitis B virus should be considered as a possible factor associated with hepatocellular carcinoma even in the absence of HBsAg, particularly if serum hepatitis B virus DNA persists. References 1 Krugman S, Giles JP. Viral hepatitis type B (MS-2-train): further observations on natural history and prevention. N Engl J Med 1973; 288: 755–760. 2 Krugman S, Overby LR, Mushahwar LK, Ling C, Frosner GG, Deinhardt F. 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Dig Dis Sci 1986; 31: 700–704. Citing Literature Volume16, Issue6December 1992Pages 1334-1337 ReferencesRelatedInformation