Retrospective Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021.
World J Hepatol. Jan 27, 2022; 14(1): 260-273
Published online Jan 27, 2022. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i1.260
Table 1 Basic clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings according to hepatitis B e antigen status
Parameters
Total
HBeAg positive
HBeAg negative
n1408654
Age (yr)42.75 ± 11.5340.30 ± 11.0346.74 ± 11.29a
Gender
Male7848 (61.5)30 (38.5)
Female6238 (61.3)24 (38.7)
HBV DNA (log10IU/mL)7.27 ± 2.177.67 ± 2.396.65 ± 1.58a
HBsAg (log10IU/mL)3.85 ± 1.044.01 ± 1.073.61 ± 0.94b
ALT IU/L7.27 ± 2.17155.80 ± 114.32134.54 ± 98.71
ALT < 200 IU/L9152 (51.7)39 (42.9)
ALT ≥ 200 IU/L4934 (69.4)15 (30.6)
INR1.08 ± 0.211.04 ± 0.141.15 ± 0.27b
Platelets (× 103/μL)226.4 ± 73.43224.54 ± 70.67227.59 ± 75.53
HAI score ≥ 96138 (62.3)23 (37.7)
HAI score < 97948 (60.8)31 (39.2)
Fibrosis ≥ 45333 (62.3)20 (37.7)
Fibrosis < 48753 (60.9)34 (39.1)
p-HBsAg41.05 ± 22.7847.2 ± 13.9831.26 ± 13.98a
HBsAg SP1
A3317 (51.5)16 (48.5)
B2410 (41.7)14 (58.3)
C2116 (76.2)5 (23.8)
D1610 (62.5)6 (37.5)
E4633 (71.7)13 (28.3)
HBsAg SP2
Diffuse5929 (49.2)30 (50.8)
Globular3424 (70.6)10 (29.4)
Submembranous4733 (70.2)14 (29.8)
Membranous expression
Present5333 (63.3)20 (37.7)
Absent8753 (60.9)34 (39.1)
Table 2 The correlation of clinicopathologic factors and hepatitis B surface antigen expression patterns with viral replication in hepatitis B e antigen positive cases

HBV DNA
HAI
Fibrosis
Parameters
< 7.67
≥ 7.67
< 9
≥ 9
< 4
≥ 4
n325448385333
Age (yr)48.28 ± 9.635.57 ± 8.93b37.79 ± 10.8343.47 ± 10.59a36.06 ± 9.3947.12 ± 10.11b
Gender
Male23 (71.9)25 (46.3)a23 (47.9)25 (65.8)27 (50.9)21 (63.6)
Female9 (28.1)29 (53.7)25 (52.1)13 (34.2)26 (49.1)12 (36.4)
HBV DNA (log10IU/mL)--8.36 ± 2.266.79 ± 2.30a8.15 ± 2.326.89 ± 2.34
HBsAg (log10IU/mL)3.02 ± 0.914.59 ± 0.64b4.28 ± 0.913.66 ± 1.61a4.19 ± 1.013.07 ± 1.10a
ALT IU/L106.97 ± 73.55184.74 ± 124.85a148.97 ± 61.46121.46 ± 50.84167.74 ± 72.1136.64 ± 56.2
ALT< 200 IU/L26 (81.2)26 (48.1)a34 (70.8)18 (47.4)a32 (60.4)20 (60.6)
ALT ≥ 200 IU/L6 (18.8)28 (51.9)14 (29.2)20 (52.6)21 (39.6)13 (39.4)
INR1.03 ± 0.081.05 ± 0.161.03 ± 0.101.06 ± 0.171.04 ± 0.161.04 ± 0.09
Platelets (× 103/μL)217.59 ± 66.85233.98 ± 80.60226 ± 74.74228 ± 77.51224.53 ± 74.72232.61 ± 77.82
HAI score ≥ 922 (68.8)16 (29.6)b--17 (32.1)21 (63.6)b
HAI score < 910 (31.2)38 (70.4)--36 (67.9)12 (36.4)
Fibrosis ≥ 419 (59.4)14 (25.9)a12 (25)21 (55.3)b--
Fibrosis < 413 (40.6)40 (74.1)36 (75)17 (44.7)--
p-HBsAg29.92 ± 10.8457.44 ± 25.50b53.53 ± 25.1239.21 ± 22.85a54.49 ± 26.0235.49 ± 18.34b
HBsAg SP1
A2 (6.2)15 (27.8)a11 (22.96 (15.8)a17 (32.1)0b
B4 (12.5)6 (11.1)1 (2.1)9 (23.7)6 (11.3)4 (12.1)
C6 (18.8)10 (18.5)12 (25)4 (10.5)14 (26.4)2 (6.1)
D4 (12.5)6 (11.1)7 (14.6)3 (7.9)8 (15.1)2 (6.1)
E16 (50)17 (31.5)17 (35.4)16 (42.1)8 (15.1)25 (75.8)
HBsAg SP2
Diffuse8 (25)21 (38.9)12 (25)17 (44.7)a23 (43.4)6 (18.2)b
Globular8 (25)16 (29.6)19 (39.6)5 (13.1)22 (41.5)2 (6.1)
Submembranous16 (50)17 (31.5)17 (35.4)16 (42.1)8 (15.1)25 (75.8)
Membranous expression
Present5 (15.6)28 (51.9)b21 (43.8)12 (31.6)29 (54.7)4 (12.1)b
Absent27 (84.4)26 (48.1)27 (56.3)26 (68.4)24 (45.3)29 (87.9)
Table 3 The correlation of clinicopathologic factors and hepatitis B surface antigen expression patterns with viral replication in hepatitis B e antigen negative cases

HBV DNA
HAI
Fibrosis
Parameters
< 6.65
≥ 6.65
< 9
≥ 9
< 4
≥ 4
n233131233420
Age (yr)48.13 ± 10.3445.71 ± 12.0246.52 ± 11.7347.04 ± 10.9245.82 ± 11.6348.30 ± 10.81
Gender
Male10 (43.5)20 (64.5)19 (61.3)11 (47.8)23 (67.6)7 (35)a
Female13 (56.5)11 (35.5)12 (38.7)12 (52.2)11 (32.4)13 (65)
HBV DNA (log10IU/mL)--4.97 ± 1.497.56 ± 1.21a4.16 ± 0.973.98 ± 0.93
HBsAg (log10IU/mL)3.19 ± 0.843.92 ± 0.903.30 ± 0.83.86 ± 0.91a3.46 ± 0.954.03 ± 0.98
ALT IU/L96.09 ± 33.55163.06 ± 50.85a102.55 ± 41.36177.65 ± 80.65126.18 ± 64.87148.75 ± 58.6
ALT < 200 IU/L21 (91.3)18 (58.1)b26 (83.9)13 (56.5)a25 (73.5)14 (70)
ALT ≥ 200 IU/L2 (8.7)13 (41.9)5 (16.1)10 (43.5)9 (26.5)6 (30)
INR1.13 ± 0.271.17 ± 0.281.15 ± 0.31.16 ± 0.241.22 ± 0.321.04 ± 0.10b
Platelets (× 103/μL)234.91 ± 80.6216.31 ± 61.29237.67 ± 73.34206.64 ± 73.34218.21 ± 71.85236.5 ± 68.79
HAI score ≥ 92 (8.7)21 (67.7)b--14 (26.5)9 (70)b
HAI score < 921 (91.3)10 (32.3)--20 (73.5)11 (30)
Fibrosis ≥ 44 (17.4)16 (51.6)a6 (19.4)14 (60.9)b--
Fibrosis < 419 (82.6)15 (48.4) 25 (80.6)9 (39.1)--
p-HBsAg30.39 ± 14.1831.91 ± 14.0428.68 ± 11.1634.75 ± 16.7133.21 ± 15.3227.96 ± 10.93
HBsAg SP1
A6 (26.1)10 (32.3)13 (41.9)3 (13)a13 (38.2)3 (15)
B5 (21.7)9 (29)5 (16.1)9 (39.1)7 (20.6)7 (35)
C4 (17.4)1 (3.2)4 (12.9)1 (4.3)5 (14.7)0
D5 (21.7)1 (3.2)5 (16.1)1 (4.3)3 (8.8)3 (15)
E3 (13)10 (32.3)4 (12.9)9 (39.1)6 (17.6)7 (35)
HBsAg SP2
Diffuse11(47.8)19 (61.3)b18 (58.1)12 (52.2)a20 (58.8)10 (50)
Globular9 (39.1)2 (3.2)9 (29)1 (4.3)7 (20.6)3 (15)
Submembranous3 (13.1)10 (31.5)4 (12.9)10 (43.5)7 (20.6)7 (35)
Membranous expression
Present7 (30.4)13 (41.9)10 (32.3)10 (43.5)14 (41.2)6 (30)
Absent16 (69.6)18 (58.1)21 (67.7)13 (56.5)20 (58.8)14 (70)
Table 4 The relationship between clinicopathological factors and hepatitis B surface antigen expression patterns with viral response and serological response

HBeAg positive
HBeAg negative

VR
SR
VR
ParametersAbsentPresentAbsentPresentPresent
Age (yr)
< Mean11 (34.4)39 (72.2)b19 (48.7)31 (66)b24 (44.4)
≥ Mean21 (65.6)15 (27.8)20 (51.43)16 (34)30 (55.6)
Gender
Male21 (34.4)27 (50)24 (61.5)24 (48.9)30 (55.6)
Female11 (34.4)27 (50)15 (38.5)23 (51.1)24 (44.4)
HBV DNA
Low17 (53.1)39 (72.2)a16 (41)16 (34)23 (42.6)
High15 (45.9)15 (27.8)23 (59)31 (66)31 (57.4)
HBsAg
Low21 (65.6)15 (27.8)a21 (53.8)15 (31.9)b30 (55.6)
High11 (34.4)39 (72.2)18 (46.2)32 (68.1)24 (44.4)
ALT
< 200 IU/L23 (71.9)29 (53.7)29 (74.4)23 (48.9)a39 (72.2)
≥ 200 IU/L9 (28.1)25 (46.3)10 (25.6)24 (51.1)15 (27.8)
INR
Low15 (46.9)26 (48.1)19 (48.7)22 (46.8)39 (72.2)
High17 (53.1)28 (51.9)20 (51.3)25 (53.2)15 (27.8)
Platelets
Low15 (46.9)31 (57.4)20 (51.3)26 (55.3)31 (57.4)
High17 (53.123 (42.6)19 (48.7)21 (44.7)23 (42.6)
HAI score ≥ 913 (40.6)25 (46.3)11 (25)28 (59.6)a23 (42.6)
HAI score < 919 (59.4)29 (53.7)28 (75)19 (40.4)31 (57.4)
Fibrosis ≥ 417 (53.1)16 (29.6)a17 (43.6)16 (34)20 (37)
Fibrosis < 415 (46.9)10 (70.4)22 (56.4)31 (66)34 (63)
p-HbsAg
Low26 (81.3)25 (46.3)b29 (74.4)24 (51.1)b21 (38.9)
High6 (18.8)29 (53.7)10 (25.6)23 (48.9)33 (61.1)
HBsAg SP1
A1 (3.1)16 (29.6)b2 (5.1)15 (31.9)b16 (29.6)
B010 (18.5)010 (21.3)14 (25.9)
C6 (18.8)10 (18.5)11 (28.2)5 (10.6)5 (9.3)
D6 (18.8)4 (7.4)6 (15.4)4 (8.5)6 (11.1)
E19 (59.4)14 (25.9)20 (51.3)13 (27.7)13 (24.1)
HBsAg SP2
Diffuse1 (3.1)28 (58.1)b2 (5.1)2 (57.4)b30 (55.6)
Globular12 (37.5)12 (22.2)17 (43.6)7 (14.9)10 (18.5)
Submembranous19 (59.4)14 (25.9)20 (51.3)13 (27.7)14 (25.9)
Membranous expression
Absent27 (84.4)26 (48.1)b29 (74.4)24 (51.1)b21 (38.9)
Present5 (15.6)28 (51.9)10 (25.6)23 (48.9)33 (61.1)
Table 5 The association of clinicopathological factors and hepatitis B surface antigen expression patterns with viral response and serological response

HBeAg positive (n = 86)
HBeAg negative (n = 54)
Parameters
VR
SR
VR

HR (95%CI)
P value1
P value2
HR (95%CI)
P value1
P value2
HR (95%CI)
P value2
Age (yr)0.685 (0.228-2.055)0.0010.4490.892 (0.301-2.644)0.0070.8370.936 (0.460-1.904)0.855
Gender: male vs female0.581 (0.301-1.121)0.720.1050.516 (0.251-1.062)0.790.0722.410 (0.986-5.985)0.054
HBV DNA (log10IU/mL)0.782 (0.275-2.224)0.0030.6450.707 (0.246-2.029)0.400.5190.620 (0.255-1.508)0.292
HBsAg (log10IU/mL)1.931 (0.757-4.923)0.0010.1682.252 (0.878-5.773)0.0010.0910.700 (0.294-1.669)0.422
ALT ≥ 200 IU/L vs < 200 IU/L0.992 (0.476-2.068)0.900.9821.037 (0.436-2.471)0.0180.9340.854 (0.372-1.962)0.710
INR0.539 (0.271-1.072)0.7510.0780.493 (0.222-1.092)0.9010.0811.815 (0.791-4.161)0.159
Platelets (× 103/μL)0.619 (0.309-1.240)0.1940.1760.538 (0.243-1.189)0.3890.1250.925 (0.452-1.892)0.831
HAI score ≥ 9 vs < 91.566 (0.692-3.546)0.2820.2822.881 (1.170-7.094)0.1320.0216.876 (2.219-21.309)0.001
Fibrosis ≥ 4 vs < 41.245 (0.517-2.999)0.0210.6251.079 (0.427-2.730)0.0920.8720.833 (0.326-2.125)0.702
p-HBsAg3.178 (1.582-6.387)0.0010.0013.990 (1.843-8.638)0.0010.0011.089 (0.575-2.063)0.793
SP10.899 (0.495-1.634)0.0010.7273.760 (1.742-7.861)0.0010.5310.959 (0.443-2.167)0.990
SP20.727 (0.240-2.200)0.0010.5730.721 (0.216-2.410)0.0010.5950.996 (0.552-1.798)0.990
Membranous expression1.085 (0.513-2.294)0.0010.8311.082 (0.472-2.482)0.0010.9520.692 (0.246-1.944)0.485