Iftikhar Ahmed, Siyab Ahmad, Wasim Khan, Amreek Lal, Fazal Akbar, Mohammad Ali.
Correlation between Hepatitis B e Antigen and Hepatitis B Virus DNA in HBV Infected Carriers..
J Saidu Med Col Jan ;11(4):196-9.

Background: Serum Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and estimation of the quantity of hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) are the simple and cost-effective diagnostic methods used for the assessment of state of HBV infection in hepatitis patients. However, inmost cases quantitative PCR is recommended for the confirmation of infection, prognosis and to precisely assess the real sate of infection. Objective: To study the frequencies fo HBV and to assess the correlation among ALT, HBe Ag and HBV DNA in the diagnosis of hepatitis B carrier patients. Materials & Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Amreek Clinical laboratories, Saidu Sharif Swat. The duration of study was three years from Jan 2015 to Jan 2017. A total of 41 cases were collected and evaluated for various parameters such as types, age, gender and tissue involved. The study was done after the permission granted by the ethical committee. Informed written consent was taken from each patient. Results: The results obtained were statistically analysed. We noticed HBeAg level increased with the raise in HBV DNA. The occurrence of HBV was higher in males (63.4%) in comparison to females (36.6%), young persons in the age group 20 - 50 years were the most affected (80.5%). Similarly, the occurrence of HBV was higher in married persons (63.41%) when compared to unmarried persons (36.65%), however majority of the patients were asymptomatic (92.7%).Conclusion: It has been concluded from the current study that HBV carrier patients with the raised HB e Ag, are more likely to be positive for HBV DNA. This suggests that the combination of biochemical tests (ALT) and serological markers i.e. HB e Ag may be used as cost effective, easiest and an alternative option to HBV DNA quantification by PCR. However, more information's about the status of infection could be achieved if serological/ biochemical assays are coupled with HBV DNA estimation by quantitative PCR. Key words: hepatitis B carrier. HB e Ag Serum Alanine amino transferase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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