Among Patients with Undetectable Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, a High Proportion Has Integration of HBV DNA into Hepatocyte DNA and No Cirrhosis

In some individuals with undetectable serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA can still be detected in serum or hepatocytes and HBV replicates at low levels —this is called occult HBV infection (OBI). OBI has been associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the incidence of OBI in patients with HCC and other liver diseases. We also investigated whether, in patients with OBI and HCC, HBV DNA has integrated into the DNA of hepatocytes.

Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology - June 24, 2019 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Danny Ka-Ho Wong, Serene Ching Yan Cheng, Loey Lung-Yi Mak, Elvis Wai-Pan To, Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo, Tan-To Cheung, Wai-Kay Seto, James Fung, Kwan Man, Ching-Lung Lai, Man-Fung Yuen Source Type: research