Sequelae and Serologic Outcome in Persons with Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Brian J. McMahon, Lisa Bulkow
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2002)

Letters1 October 2002Sequelae and Serologic Outcome in Persons with Hepatitis B Virus InfectionBrian J. McMahon, MD and Lisa Bulkow, MSBrian J. McMahon, MDAlaska Native Medical Center; Arctic Investigation Program; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anchorage, AK 99508-5902 (McMahon, Bulkow)Search for more papers by this author and Lisa Bulkow, MSAlaska Native Medical Center; Arctic Investigation Program; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anchorage, AK 99508-5902 (McMahon, Bulkow)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-137-7-200210010-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Drs. Cainelli and Vento correctly point out that information regarding HBV DNA levels in HBsAg-positive persons would be important in understanding the natural history of HBV. Knowledge of HBV genotype, presence or absence of precore variant, and liver aminotransferase levels could also be helpful in selecting patients for treatment (1, 2). When our study began in 1982, HBV DNA levels were not readily obtainable. In addition, HBV DNA levels alone are not sufficient to determine whether progressive liver damage is present. Aminotransferase levels, the more important indicator, along with HBV DNA levels above 100 000 copies/mL, correlate with ...References1. Kao JH, Chen PJ, Lai MY, Chen DS. Hepatitis B genotypes correlate with clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Gastroenterology. 2000;118:554-9. [PMID: 10702206] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Rodriguez-Frias F, Buti M, Jardi R, Cotrina M, Viladomiu L, Esteban R, et al . Hepatitis B virus infection: precore mutants and its relation to viral genotypes and core mutations. Hepatology. 1995;22:1641-7. [PMID: 7489968] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Lindh M, Horal P, Dhillon AP, Norkrans G. Hepatitis B virus DNA levels, precore mutations, genotypes and histological activity in chronic hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat. 2000;7:258-67. [PMID: 10886534] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Lok AS, McMahon BJ. Chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology. 2001;34:1225-41. [PMID: 11732013] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Brian J. McMahon, MD; Lisa Bulkow, MSAffiliations: Alaska Native Medical Center; Arctic Investigation Program; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anchorage, AK 99508-5902 (McMahon, Bulkow) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoSerologic and Clinical Outcomes of 1536 Alaska Natives Chronically Infected with Hepatitis B Virus Brian J. McMahon , Peter Holck , Lisa Bulkow , and Mary Snowball Sequelae and Serologic Outcome in Persons with Hepatitis B Virus Infection Francesca Cainelli and Sandro Vento Metrics 1 October 2002Volume 137, Issue 7Page: 619KeywordsAminotransferasesBloodDNAHepatitisHepatitis BInfectious hepatitisLiverLiver diseasesPatientsProspective studies ePublished: 1 October 2002 Issue Published: 1 October 2002 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2002 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...