Biomaterial Database

Changes in hepatitis B virus DNA-polymerase activity in patients with chronic infection. 1981

A Alberti, and P Pontisso, and G Realdi

Levels of serum hepatitis B virus DNA-polymerase (HBV-DNAP) were studied longitudinally over variable periods of time in 16 HBV chronic carriers using a modified assay procedure developed to increase reproducibility. Ten patients were tested on a short-term basis at 3- to 6-hr intervals for 48 hr or at 24- to 48-hr intervals for 15 consecutive days, and all showed marked vacillations in enzyme levels although hospitalized and untreated. Patients with chronic active hepatitis on liver biopsy had larger fluctuations compared to cases of chronic persistent hepatitis. Six patients were longitudinally tested over a period of 12-32 months and those three receiving immunosuppressive drugs showed a progressive increase in DNAP levels during therapy, but two returned to pretreatment levels after therapy was withdrawn and one even cleared permanently the complete virus with seroconversion to anti-HBe. Such outcome was also observed in one patient with chronic active hepatitis who remained untreated.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D004259	DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase	DNA-dependent DNA polymerases found in bacteria, animal and plant cells. During the replication process, these enzymes catalyze the addition of deoxyribonucleotide residues to the end of a DNA strand in the presence of DNA as template-primer. They also possess exonuclease activity and therefore function in DNA repair.	DNA Polymerase,DNA Polymerases,DNA-Dependent DNA Polymerases,DNA Polymerase N3,DNA Dependent DNA Polymerases,DNA Directed DNA Polymerase,DNA Polymerase, DNA-Directed,DNA Polymerases, DNA-Dependent,Polymerase N3, DNA,Polymerase, DNA,Polymerase, DNA-Directed DNA,Polymerases, DNA,Polymerases, DNA-Dependent DNA
D006509	Hepatitis B	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by a member of the ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS genus, HEPATITIS B VIRUS. It is primarily transmitted by parenteral exposure, such as transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, but can also be transmitted via sexual or intimate personal contact.	Hepatitis B Virus Infection
D006515	Hepatitis B virus	The type species of the genus ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS which causes human HEPATITIS B and is also apparently a causal agent in human HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA. The Dane particle is an intact hepatitis virion, named after its discoverer. Non-infectious spherical and tubular particles are also seen in the serum.	Dane Particle,Hepatitis Virus, Homologous Serum,B virus, Hepatitis,Hepatitis B viruses,Particle, Dane,viruses, Hepatitis B
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor