Relation of Hepatitis B Viral Load with Hepatitis B Envelope Antigen in Hepatitis B Positive Cases

Abstract

Background: Despite of effective vaccineand impressive treatment, number of cases of hepatitis b virus rising day
by day. The reasons include low antibody titre in blood after vaccination, needle stick injury in medical personnel,
lack of awareness in general public about the mode of transmissions and prevention. Also the treatment part is
expensive and monitored by repeated viral load and envelope antigen estimation.We are conducted a study to
decrease the cost of diagnosis and monitoring of treatment by analyse if anyrelationship between viral load and
envelope antigen.
Method: Total number of 54 blood samples of hepatitis b positive patients who were known to be infected the time
of withdrawn of blood, collected in a period of one year.The serums separated by centrifugation and preserved.
All samples were tested for viral load by Thermo Fisher PCR kit and also for estimation of hepatitis b envelope
antigen by indirect ELISA. Results were analysed.
Conclusion: On the basis of this study we can conclude that there is a relationship between hepatitis b envelope
antigen and viral load. When viral load reached in a patient up to a particular level antigen start rising and
then both proportionally increasing. In our study that particular level of viral loadis >106 copies/ml. It shows if
envelope antigen of hepatitis b virus present in blood, the value of viral load should be more than 106copies/ml.
In the scarcity of PCR only Elisa for envelope antigen can draw an approximate estimation of viral load.