
We investigated the efficiency of the indirect ratio of anti-HBc IgG at predicting HBsAg seroclearance in patients with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-induced HBeAg seroclearance.We performed a retrospective study that included 366 chronic hepatitis B patients (March 2007 to December 2016) at a single tertiary hospital. These patients were HBsAg seropositive, and experienced NA-induced HBeAg seroclearance. The indirect ratio of light absorbance of anti-HBc IgG levels were measured with chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay using the Architect Anti-HBc assay (Abbott Laboratories, IL, USA) as a qualitative method prior to antiviral therapy. We calculated the cumulative incidences of HBsAg seroclearance based on the anti-HBc IgG levels.After a 10-year follow-up, 48 patients experienced HBsAg seroclearance (13.1%). Thirty-three of 179 patients who had an indirect ratio of light absorbance of anti-HBc IgG < 11 RLU (relative light unit) showed HBsAg seroclearance (18.4%); 15 of 187 patients who had an indirect ratio of light absorbance of anti-HBc IgG ≥ 11 RLU showed HBsAg seroclerance (8.0%) (p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, age, and ALT at the time of HBeAg seroclearance were predictors of HBsAg seroclearance. Especially, the relative risk of HBsAg seroclearance in patients with baseline anti-HBc IgG levels < 11 RLU was 2.213 (95% CI, 1.220-4.014), compared to that in patients with higher levels of anti-HBc IgG at baseline (p = 0.009).Using an indirect method for anti-HBc IgG levels, baseline anti-HBc IgG levels (< 11RLU), age (≥ 50 years), and ALT (≥ 40 IU/L) might be associated with HBsAg seroclearance in patients with NA-induced HBeAg seroclearance.
Male, Hepatitis B virus, Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use, 610, Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood*, Antiviral Agents, Hepatitis B, Chronic, Seroconversion / drug effects, Liver Function Tests, Liver Function Tests / methods, Humans, Serologic Tests, Hepatitis B e Antigens, Hepatitis B Antibodies, Retrospective Studies, Hepatitis B core antigen, Hepatitis B e antigen, Hepatitis B Core Antigens / immunology*, Serologic Tests / methods, Immunoglobulin G / blood*, Nucleosides, Middle Aged, Hepatitis B e Antigens / immunology*, Hepatitis B, Prognosis, Hepatitis B Core Antigens, Treatment Outcome, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Chronic* / drug therapy, Seroconversion, Immunoglobulin G, Chronic* / immunology, Original Article, Female, Nucleosides / therapeutic use*
Male, Hepatitis B virus, Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use, 610, Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood*, Antiviral Agents, Hepatitis B, Chronic, Seroconversion / drug effects, Liver Function Tests, Liver Function Tests / methods, Humans, Serologic Tests, Hepatitis B e Antigens, Hepatitis B Antibodies, Retrospective Studies, Hepatitis B core antigen, Hepatitis B e antigen, Hepatitis B Core Antigens / immunology*, Serologic Tests / methods, Immunoglobulin G / blood*, Nucleosides, Middle Aged, Hepatitis B e Antigens / immunology*, Hepatitis B, Prognosis, Hepatitis B Core Antigens, Treatment Outcome, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Chronic* / drug therapy, Seroconversion, Immunoglobulin G, Chronic* / immunology, Original Article, Female, Nucleosides / therapeutic use*
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