Pattern and duration of HBV DNA seropositivity in acute hepatitis B

Abstract

To determine the pattern and duration of HBV DNA seropositivity in acute hepatitis B, six patients were assessed during the incubation, clinical, and convalescent stages of their illness by DNA hybridization using a slot blot technique. Patients were identified by the detection of HB_sAg nearly one month before the development of clinical and laboratory features of acute hepatitis (mean 22±4 days) and they were followed at one- to three-week intervals for 6±1 months. Each patient lacked antibody to delta virus. During the incubation period, HBV DNA was not detected in serum. At symptomatic onset, all were seropositive for HBV DNA and HB_eAg. At peak biochemical disease, three patients had already cleared HBV DNA and five continued to harbor HB_eAg. The duration of HBV DNA seropositivity was as short as one week. At the time of biochemical resolution, all patients had cleared HBV DNA, while four of five remained HB_eAg-positive. Clearance of HB_eAg and HB_sAg occurred 4 ±2 months after loss of HBV DNA. We conclude that HBV DNA is not detectable in serum during the early incubation period but that it is present at the onset of symptoms. Its duration in serum can be brief and clearance is possible by the peak of aminotransferase activity. HBV DNA usually disappears before HB_eAg, and it is invariably lost by the time of biochemical resolution. Its detection in serum coincides with the clinical illness, but it may be missed unless sampling is done early in the clinical course.