Estimation of immunological and biochemical parameters in Hepatitis B positive patients

Abstract

Background: Changes in immunological response have been reported during
HBV infections, and these changes can be markers for the diagnosis and
prediction of the outcome of infection The aim of this study was to measure
and correlate serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), C-reactive protein (CRP)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and HBV
antigens and antibodies in a sample of patients with HBV infection and in
healthy controls
Methods: The study population consisted of 26 patients with hepatitis B
infection (HBsAg seropositive), and 26 apparently healthy (HBsAg
seronegative) participants as controls. Biochemical markers of liver disease
were evaluated by routine methods. Hepatitis B antigens (HBVsAg, HBeAg)
and antibodies (HBsAb, HBeAb, HBcAb) were determined using
immunochromatographic method. Serum concentrations of IL-2, and CRP
were determined using ELISA method.
Results: IL-2 level in HBsAg seropositive patients was found to be lower than
that of control with no statistical significance while CRP level in HBV positive
patients was higher than that of control with no statistical significance. HBV
patients showed statistically significant difference in AST and ALT levels,
compared to healthy controls. A statistically significant value was also observed
between IL-2 and CRP in HBV infected individuals.
Conclusion:The study concluded that deranged ALT and AST values correlate
with HBV infection and may be a potential tool for disease diagnosis and
progression.

Keyword: IL-2, C-reactive protein, Alanine transferase, Aspartate transaminase, Hepatitis B antigens, Hepatitis B antibodies.