TITLE:
Evaluation of HBsAg Quantification as Surrogate to HBV DNA Viral Load in Hepatitis B Infected Patients in Anambra State, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Chinwe Obiomah, Grace Amilo, Israel Ndulue
KEYWORDS:
Hepatis B Virus, HBsAg Quantification, HBV DNA
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Molecular Biology,
Vol.10 No.3,
June
1,
2020
ABSTRACT:
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease of great public health importance. Nigeria
is one of the countries with the highest incidence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
infection worldwide. However, the accessibility and affordability of HBV
DNA quantification (viral load) assay is the key laboratory test for therapy initiation,
and monitoring is a challenge to HBV management. This study
aimed at determining the relationship between HBV DNA quantification
and routine haemato-serological parameters in order to develop a more
cost-effective diagnostic algorithm for Hepatitis B management. Cross
sectional study design was used with a total of 264 subjects comprising of 88
HBsAg seropositive treatment naïve subjects, 88 HBsAg seropositive subjects
on antiviral therapy as case subjects and 88 age-matched apparently healthy
HBsAg seronegative individuals were recruited as control subjects. Hepatitis
B Virus DNA assay was performed using real time PCR technique while
ELISA technique was used for Hepatitis B surface antigen quantification.
HBsAg quantification showed strong positive correlation with HBV DNA
viral load both in treatment and non-treatment groups (r = 0.673; p