Levels of HBV-DNA, sFas and sFasL among healthy HBsAg carriers in period of three years.

PURPOSE The object of the study was the usefulness of sFas and sFasL concentration in the prognosis of disease development in healthy HBsAg carriers. PATIENTS 34 healthy HBsAg carriers were examined over a three-years period. MATERIAL AND METHODS HBV-DNA was extracted using the Gene Elute Mammalian Genomic DNA Miniprep Kit (Sigma, USA). HBV-DNA concentration and YMDD mutations were measured by RT-PCR based on TaqMan Universal Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, USA). HBeAg and anti-HBe in serum were detected by MEIA method (ABBOTT, Germany). The concentration of sFas and sFasL in serum was estimated by ELISA method (Bender MedSystems, Austria). RESULTS Within three year observation period the number of carriers with absent HBV-DNA increased from 19% to 33%. HBV-DNA above 105 copies/ml, which was detected in 63% of carriers, decreased to 11% (p < 0.05). After 3 years, a reduction of HBV-DNA levels was observed in 89% of carriers (p < 0.05). The occurrence of sFasL decreased from 56% to 48%. sFasL correlated with HBV-DNA (p < 0.05). The concentration of sFas decreased (p < 0.01). Chronic hepatitis B developed in 11% of men carriers, and 11% eliminated HBeAg, anti-HBe and HBV-DNA. YMDD mutant was not detected in any of the HBsAg carriers. CONCLUSIONS High concentration of sFasL in serum may suggest the development of chronic hepatitis and it seems that sFasL detection is never a good prognostic factor.