Correlation of Quantitative HBsAg and Quantitative HBeAg with HBV DNA in Treatment-Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital Manado

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a significant global health burden, leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Quantification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA using real-time PCR serves as the gold standard for therapeutic monitoring. However, high costs and limited availability in secondary healthcare facilities hinder routine clinical management.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) and quantitative hepatitis B envelope antigen (qHBeAg) with serum HBV DNA levels in treatment-naïve CHB patients.

Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 treatment-naïve adult CHB patients attending the Gastroenterohepatology Outpatient Clinic at Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital, Manado, from October 2025 to February 2026. Serum qHBsAg was measured using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA), qHBeAg via cut-off index (COI), and HBV DNA via real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results: The median qHBsAg was 2,359.67 IU/mL, median qHBeAg was 0.397 COI, and median HBV DNA was 124,500 IU/mL. A statistically significant, moderate positive correlation was observed between qHBsAg and HBV DNA (r = 0.479, p = 0.007). Furthermore, a statistically significant, strong positive correlation was found between qHBeAg and HBV DNA (r = 0.674, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that both qHBeAg and qHBsAg significantly correlate with HBV DNA, supporting their potential utility as reliable surrogate markers to guide antiviral initiation and monitoring where molecular testing is inaccessible.

Keywords: Chronic Hepatitis B; HBV DNA; Quantitative HBeAg; Quantitative HBsAg; Surrogate Biomarkers