The Significance of Enzyme Immunoassay for the Assessment of Hepatitis B Virus Core-Related Antigen following Liver Transplantation

Abstract

Purpose Recently, a new enzyme immunoassay for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV

Significance of hepatitis B virus core‐related antigen and covalently closed circular DNA levels as markers of hepatitis B virus re‐infection after liver transplantation

“…In the present study, we demonstrated the usefulness of HBcrAg and cccDNA as markers of HBV after transplantation. As in our previous report, 12 we suggest that HBcrAg, which is a newly developed enzyme immunoassay, 9 is a possible method for detecting the dynamics of HBV after LT. However, HBcrAg consists of HBcAg, HBeAg, and p22cr, which is generated from cccDNA, The mean values of HBcrAg levels dropped during the postoperative period but then gradually increased again during the stable period (*P < 0.001 and **P = 0.035 indicate the significant differences between each period).…”

“…In the present study, we demonstrated the usefulness of HBcrAg and cccDNA as markers of HBV after transplantation. As in our previous report, we suggest that HBcrAg, which is a newly developed enzyme immunoassay, is a possible method for detecting the dynamics of HBV after LT. However, HBcrAg consists of HBcAg, HBeAg, and p22cr, which is generated from cccDNA, and thus, it is questionable if HBcrAg truly reflects the viral pattern of HBV.…”

“…Moreover, its levels are correlated with the intrahepatic cccDNA levels of patients with chronic hepatitis B . In addition, we previously reported on the usefulness of HBcrAg in patients receiving anti‐HBV prophylaxis following LT …”

“…10 Moreover, its levels are correlated with the intrahepatic cccDNA levels of patients with chronic hepatitis B. 11 In addition, we previously reported on the usefulness of HBcrAg in patients receiving anti-HBV prophylaxis following LT. 12 Therefore, in this study, we simultaneously measured serum HBcrAg and intrahepatic cccDNA levels in liver tissue and studied the HBV dynamics in patients following HBV-related LTs.…”

The Role of Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen

“…The first report describing HBV biomarkers related to liver transplantation was published in Japan in 2009 [92]. Fujimoto et al proposed the potential use of HBcrAg and discussed the dynamics of HBV in 12 patients after HBV-related living donor liver transplantation.…”