Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in liver biopsy sample of patients with nonviral liver disease

Aim: To determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B (HBV) infection (OBI) in patients with nonviral liver disease. Materials & methods: This study included 83 HBsAg-negative patients followed up at a gastroenterohepatology clinic. The presence of HBV DNA was investigated by using an in-house nested-PCR method applied to liver parenchymal biopsy samples obtained from patients who underwent due nonviral chronic liver disease. Results: OBI was detected in 19 (22.9%) of the 83 cases, in 11 (44%) of 25 anti-HBc-positive patients, and 15 (31.9%) of 47 anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs antibodies-positive patients. Conclusion: There is a considerable prevalence of OBI among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease. Therefore, it is suggested that closely monitoring HBV can be useful to prevent or more effectively manage possible OBI-related complications among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease, especially those who are HBsAg seronegative or anti-HBV antibody seropositive.