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Relationship between hepatitis B core‐related antigen levels and sustained HB eAg seroconversion in patients treated with nucleo(s)tide analogues
Author(s) -
Sonneveld Milan J.,
van Oord Gertine W.,
van Campenhout Margo J.,
De Man Robert A.,
Janssen Harry L. A.,
de Knegt Robert J.,
Boonstra Andre,
van der Eijk Annemiek A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/jvh.13097
Subject(s) - seroconversion , medicine , antigen , hazard ratio , gastroenterology , hepatitis b , hepatitis b virus , virology , immunology , antibody , confidence interval , virus
Summary Hepatitis B e antigen ( HB eAg) seroconversion experienced during nucleo(s)tide analogue ( NUC ) therapy is often not sustained. We aimed to study whether hepatitis B core‐related antigen ( HB crAg) levels predict sustained HB eAg seroconversion in patients treated with NUC s. We studied HB eAg‐positive patients treated with NUC s for at least 6 months. We quantified HB crAg at baseline and at the time of HB eAg seroconversion and studied the relationship with HB eAg seroconversion and subsequent relapse. HB crAg was quantified at baseline in 196 patients; levels varied significantly by HBV genotype and correlated with HB sAg, HBV DNA and HB eAg. Baseline HB crAg levels were lower in patients who achieved HB eAg seroconversion than in those who did not; the unadjusted hazard ratio ( HR ) was 0.802 (95% CI : 0.656‐0.980, P = 0.031); and this association was not sustained in multivariate analysis. HB crAg remained detectable in all patients at the time of HB eAg seroconversion. Higher HB crAg at the time of seroconversion was an independent predictor of relapse (adjusted HR : 1.855 (95% CI : 1.099‐3.133, P = 0.021), and none of the patients with HB crAg < 4.90 log U/ mL experienced relapse. Baseline HB crAg is not an independent predictor of HB eAg seroconversion during NUC therapy. HB crAg remains detectable in patients after HB eAg seroconversion. Patients with lower levels at the time of seroconversion have a higher probability of sustained HB eAg seroconversion.