Original Paper

Hepatitis B Virus DNA in Liver Tissue and Risk for Hepatocarcinogenesis in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Chronic Liver Disease
A Prospective Study
Mikako Obika^a, Toshiyuki Shinji^a, Shin-ichi Fujioka^a, Ryo Terada^b, Hiromasa Ryuko^a, Aye Aye Lwin^a, Hidenori Shiraha^b, Norio Koide^a

Departments of
^aLaboratory Medicine, and
^bGastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan

Address of Corresponding Author

Intervirology 2008;51:59-68 (DOI: 10.1159/000121363)

  Key Words

• Hepatitis B virus
• Hepatitis C virus
• Hepatocarcinogenesis
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Hepatitis B virus DNA

  Abstract

Aims: To prospectively study whether occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can promote the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic liver disease. In addition, to evaluate the difference among HBV DNA-negative patients and patients with high and low HBV copy numbers. Methods: A total of 167 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease without HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) were studied. HBV DNA in liver tissue was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: HBV DNA was detected in 9 of 167 patients (5.4%) by single PCR and in 25 patients (15.0%) by nested PCR. HCC developed in 12 of 167 patients (7.2%). Ten of 142 HBV DNA-negative patients (7.0%) and 2 of 9 patients with a high HBV copy number (22.2%) developed HCC, whereas none of 16 patients with a low HBV copy number developed HCC. The incidence rate of HCC in patients with a high HBV copy number was significantly higher than in HBV DNA-negative patients and patients with low HBV copy number. Conclusion: A high amount of HBV DNA in liver tissue of HBsAg-negative patients with HCV-related liver disease might be associated with HCC development.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Mikako Obika, MD, Department of Laboratory Medicine
Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine
Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho
Okayama 700-8558 (Japan)
Tel. +81 86 235 7342, Fax +81 86 235 7345, E-Mail gmd16802@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp

  Article Information

Received: October 8, 2007
Accepted after revision: February 4, 2008
Published online: March 18, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 57