Evaluation of HBsAg Quantification as Surrogate to HBV DNA Viral Load in Hepatitis B Infected Patients in Anambra State, Nigeria

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease of great public health importance. Nigeria\r\nis one of the countries with the highest incidence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)\r\ninfection worldwide. However, the accessibility and affordability of HBV\r\nDNA quantification (viral load) assay is the key laboratory test for therapy initiation,\r\nand monitoring is a challenge to HBV management. This study\r\naimed at determining the relationship between HBV DNA quantification\r\nand routine haemato-serological parameters in order to develop a more\r\ncost-effective diagnostic algorithm for Hepatitis B management. Cross\r\nsectional study design was used with a total of 264 subjects comprising of 88\r\nHBsAg seropositive treatment na\u0026#239ve subjects, 88 HBsAg seropositive subjects\r\non antiviral therapy as case subjects and 88 age-matched apparently healthy\r\nHBsAg seronegative individuals were recruited as control subjects. Hepatitis\r\nB Virus DNA assay was performed using real time PCR technique while\r\nELISA technique was used for Hepatitis B surface antigen quantification.\r\nHBsAg quantification showed strong positive correlation with HBV DNA\r\nviral load both in treatment and non-treatment groups (r = 0.673; p