Anti surface antigen antibody and liver fibrosis biomarkers. preliminary results

Abstract

Introduction: the timely detection of Hepatic Fibrosis in people with chronic infection by Hepatitis B virus through non-invasive biomarkers remains a scientific problem. The Anti-Surface Antigen antibody is a specific biomarker of the hepatitis B virus associated with infection control, whose relationship with liver fibrosis in these people has not been completely clarified in Grenada. Objective: to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of anti-Hepatitis B virus surface antigen antibody and APRI and IFF-4 liver fibrosis indices. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was conducted including twenty patients chronically infected with the Hepatitis B virus and twenty-three healthy volunteers vaccinated against it. The study was conducted from July to November 2018. The following were considered as exclusion criteria: positive results of serological tests for human immunodeficiency virus and Hepatitis C; as well as other causes of chronic liver disease. The levels of platelets, surface antigen, surface antigen and serum activity of Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase, were measured in automated equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. The FIB-4 and APRI liver fibrosis indices were calculated according to the recommended formulas. The SSPS program, version 18.0, was used to analyze the results. Results: serum levels of Anti-Surface Antigen showed negative correlation with the index of liver fibrosis FIB-4 in the group of patients (Spearman's Rho = (-) 0, 539; p = 0, 014). Conclusions: serum levels of the antibody against the surface antigen were negatively associated with liver fibrosis in patients chronically infected with the Hepatitis B virus studied.