Spontaneous reactivation of HBV in anti-HBe positive chronic liver disease, type B

Twenty one cases of chronic liver disease (CLD), type B with persistently positive anti-HBe were studied for serial measurement of HBV DNA and DNA-P in serum in relation to raise of SGPT. Nine have had fluctuating or sustaingly abnormal SGPT levels above 100 Karmen units and 12 have had sustainingly normal SGPT for at least 3 years observation period. The histological diagnosis of these 9 with abnormal SGPT was CAH in 5, CAH with cirrhosis in 2 and cirrhosis in 2. That of 12 with normal SGPT was CAH in 6 and chronic inactive hepatitis in 2. Other 4 had no histological diagnosis. In all of these 21, serum HBeAg did not become again positive after development of anti-HBe. In all of these 9 with abnormal SGPT levels, episodes of SGPT elevation were associated with positive HBV DNA and DNA-P in serum. In contrast, 12 with sustainingly normal SGPT levels have had persistently negative HBV DNA and DNA-P in serum. Therefore, we may conclude that SGPT elevation in anti-HBe positive CLD I type B was closely related to spontaneous reactivation of HBV infection.