What Factors Predict Liver Fibrosis Risk in HBV?

The authors of new study have identified various risk factors associated with liver fibrosis, particularly among individuals with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

“Male sex, age [18 years and older], elevated α-fetoprotein level, and HBeAg-negative hepatitis are risk factors for liver fibrosis,” the researchers wrote. “[Interleukin 1β (IL-1β)] is involved in the progression of liver fibrosis in subjects with [HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-negative hepatitis.]”
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They arrived that this conclusion after a study of 533 individuals with chronic HBV infection. Liver stiffness was defined using transient elastography, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-1β were evaluated in participants with and without liver fibrosis.

The researchers also performed protein array on serum samples and lysates of Huh7 cells transfected with HBV mutants, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to confirm the results.

Ultimately, findings revealed that male sex, age 18 years and older, and a serum α-fetoprotein level of more than 3.6 ng/mL independently predicted a liver stiffness measurement of at least 7 kPa. HBeAg-negative hepatitis was found to be associated with increased liver stiffness.

In addition, the researchers observed elevated serum IL-1β levels in patients with liver fibrosis, and that IL-1β was upregulated in Huh7 cells transfected with HBV mutants associated with HBeAg-negative hepatitis.

Specifically, they noted that the AA genotype at rs16944 and the CC genotype at rs1143627 in IL-1β were associated with higher serum IL-1β levels and liver fibrosis.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Wu JF, Song SH, Lee CS, et al. Clinical predictors of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection from children to adults. J Infect Dis. 2018;217(9):1408-1416. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy048

SEE ALSO: A Guide for Screening, Referring, and Treating Patients With HCV (Podcast)

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