Distribution of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia in different phases of chronic hepatitis B infection

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Background:Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia (PHGG) is commonly associated with liver disorders, andit could signify enhanced or defective immune system. This study was to determine the distribution and significance of PHGG in phases of chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB).
 Methods:Serum protein electrophoresis and colorimetric protein were assayed in 80 inactive (IA), 45 immune clearance (IC) and 17 immune escape (IE) CHB participants. ANOVA and Student’s t-test were used for the comparisons of data, while area under curve (AUC) was used to assess the performance. 
 Results:A significant elevation was observed in gamma globulin in the three phases studied in relation to non-HBV infected control. The incidence of PHGG in different phases of CHB are; IA (61.3%), IC (33.3%) and IE (29.4%).IA phase; the least severe phase has the highest incidence of PHGG.
 Conclusion:Occurrence PHGG seems to signify enhances immune responses. Also, it could be used to some extent to predict IA phase.
 
 Keywords: Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Electrophoresis, CHB
 Statement of novelty: This study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of protein assay to evaluate the patterns of PHGG in untreated and categorized CHB infections.

Prognostic Significance of Alpha-Fetoprotein in Staging of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

“…[9,12] Previous studies have clearly demonstrated that the combination HBeAg status, [HBeAg(+) or HBeAg(-)] and the new baseline cut-off values (30 U/L in men and 19 U/L in women) for ALT can be adopted in staging CHBI. [13,32,33] Based on the results of ALT and HBeAg, the participants in this study were classified thus; those with elevated ALT and HBeAg(+) were grouped as EPH, those with elevated ALT and HBeAg(-) were grouped as ENH. Those with normal ALT and HBeAg(-) were grouped as ENI.…”

“…[9] Though, in the absence of HBV-DNA quantification, both HBeAg and serum ALT activity can serve as alternative biomarkers. [13] Simply because the liver has the highest ALT activity (2850 U/L) and a rise in its plasma activities is considered a sensitive indicator of hepatic necro-inflammation. [9] Nevertheless, the rate of elevation of ALT and AST are often disproportionate with that of histological finding.…”