Epidemiological features and serological changes in sporadic acute hepatitis B among adults: an analysis of 202 cases

Objective To investigate the epidemiological features and serological changes in sporadic acute hepatitis B ( AHB) among adults. Methods A total of 202 adult patients with AHB were selected as subjects. The epidemiological data of patients were collected, and follow- up was regularly performed for 48 weeks to monitor alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) , total bilirubin ( TBil) , hepatitis B virus ( HBV) DNA, and serological markers of HBV ( HBV- Ms) . Categorical data were analyzed by nonparametric rank sum test; comparison of continuous data between groups was made by independent- samples t test; correlation analysis was performed by Pearson test. Results Among AHB patients, there were more males than females; the mean age was 42. 99 ± 7. 31 years. Of all cases, 29. 20% developed the disease by micro blood transmission, 17. 33% by heterosexual transmission, and 48. 02% by unknown route of transmission. Only 49. 01% of the patients were positive for HBV DNA when visiting the hospital. The HBV DNA- positive group had a serum ALT level of 1973. 2 ± 445. 3 U / L, and the HBV DNA- negative group had a serum ALT level of 1500. 3 ± 287. 7 U / L, without significant difference between the two groups ( t = 1. 852, P > 0. 05) . The HBV DNA- positive group had a serum TBil level of 118. 40 ± 37. 33 μmol / L, and the HBV DNA- negative group had a serum TBil level of 81. 06 ± 23. 24 μmol / L, with significant difference between the two groups ( t = 2. 765, P < 0. 01) . Eight patterns of HBV- Ms were found in the patients who first visited the hospital; in the most frequent pattern, which was seen in 39. 11% of patients, HBsAg, HBeAg, anti- HBc, and anti- HBc IgM were detected, and in the second most frequent pattern, which was seen in 29. 27% of patients, HBsAg, anti- HBe, anti- HBc, and anti- HBc IgM were detected. The monitoring of HBV- Ms in 99 AHB patients who had complete data showed that the negative conversion rate of HBsAg was 97. 98%, and the average negative conversion time was 2. 5 weeks; the cumulative positive conversion rate of anti- HBs was 83. 84%; the negative conversion rate of HBeAg among HBeAg-positive patients was 100%, and all showed negative conversion within 4 weeks of onset; the positive conversion rate of anti- HBe was 80. 81%in the 48- week follow- up; serum anti- HBc remained detectable. In the acute phase, the 202 patients had HBsAg levels below 200 ng / ml, and the HBsAg level was inversely proportional to the negative conversion time of HBsAg. Conclusion Micro blood transmission and sexual transmission have become the main routes of transmission for sporadic AHB among adults. Rapid HBV DNA clearance and rapid seroconversion of HBsAg and HBeAg are the characteristics of sporadic AHB among adults. The HBsAg level in acute phase is helpful for determining the outcome of AHB. In this study, 2 cases were finally converted into chronic HBV infection.