Assessment of hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA in high and low viremic chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract

Aim of the study: Intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the main cause of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence. Therefore, a noninvasive serum biomarker that can reflect intrahepatic cccDNA is required for evaluation of HBV virological, biochemical activity and therapeutic response. Aim of the study was to assess serum hepatitis B pregenomic RNA in low viremia patients (HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml) and high viremia (HBV DNA > 2000 IU/ml). Material and methods: This study was carried out on two groups of chronic hepatitis B patients: group A -40 patients with low viremia (HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml); group B -40 patients with high viremia (HBV DNA > 2000 IU/ml when diagnosed). They were assessed before treatment and after 6 months of treatment (entecavir 0.5 mg/24 h). Serum HBV pregenomic RNA was quantified using RT-PCR. Results: Pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) was significantly lower in group A than in group B (before treatment). Moreover, it was significantly lower after 6 months of treatment than before treatment in group B. A significant positive correlation was observed between pgRNA and HBV DNA in groups A and B (before treatment); however, after 6 months of treatment of group B patients, although 35 patients had undetectable HBV DNA, they showed detectable levels of serum pgRNA and pgRNA > 4000 IU/ml was associated with virological and biochemical activity. Conclusions: Serum HBV pregenomic RNA might be a promising marker for assessment of HBV virological, biochemical activity and evaluating therapeutic responses.

Relationship Between Serum HBV-RNA Levels, Sero-biochemical Indices, and Clinicopathological Parameters in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus

“…Hepatitis B virus RNA is transcribed from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) (12). As the original synthetic template of HBV pre-genomic RNA (pgRNA) replication, cccDNA is the first genomic replication intermediate that can be detected in the early stage of HBV infection (13). cccDNA can escape the body's immunity and the clearance of antiviral drugs.…”