Prevalence and clinical significance of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with and without anti-HBe antibody
The clinical significance of the coexistence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibodies against HBeAg (anti-HBe) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. This study investigated the clinical features and phase transition of patients with coexisting HBeAg/anti-HBe. A total of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Virulence |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2025.2534079 |
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| Summary: | The clinical significance of the coexistence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibodies against HBeAg (anti-HBe) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. This study investigated the clinical features and phase transition of patients with coexisting HBeAg/anti-HBe. A total of 840 treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive CHB patients from two medical centres were included. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with HBeAg clearance and seroconversion. Eighty-six patients (10.2%) had coexisting HBeAg/anti-HBe. Patients with anti-HBe were older (39.0 vs. 34.0 years, p=0.016) and had a higher FIB-4 values (1.5 vs. 1.0, p<0.001) than those without anti-HBe. The proportions of HBeAg clearance (41.9% vs. 16.2%, p<0.001) and HBeAg seroconversion (37.2% vs. 11.4%, p<0.001) were significantly higher in patients with coexisting HBeAg/anti-HBe than in those without anti-HBe during the follow-up period. Surprisingly, 39.5% of patients with anti-HBe transitioned to HBeAg-positive and anti-HBe-negative status. A total of 4.7% of patients with HBeAg and anti-HBe coexistence transitioned to HBeAg-negative and anti-HBe-negative status. Patients with anti-HBe had higher cumulative HBeAg clearance and seroconversion rates than those without anti-HBe (p<0.001). HBeAg/anti-HBe coexistence was associated with higher HBeAg clearance (HR 2.960, 95%CI 1.828–4.791, p<0.001) and HBeAg seroconversion (HR 4.018, 95% CI 2.372–6.805, p<0.001). Patients with coexisting HBeAg and anti-HBe had a higher likelihood of HBeAg clearance and seroconversion. Close follow-up is needed to monitor the phase transitions in patients with coexistence of HBeAg and anti-HBe patients. |
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| ISSN: | 2150-5594 2150-5608 |