The natural history of HBV carriers

Seroconversion and seronegative of HBs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the HBs seroconversion rate and the HBsAg clearance rate, and to define the characteristics of the HBs seroconversion cases.
Fifty-nine cases, who cleared HBsAg, among 1, 196 male HBsAg carriers were investigated in this study. Ajusted annual clearance rate of HBsAg was 9.9/1, 000 person years. Twelve cases of them cleared HBsAg and then developed anti-HBs. Ajusted annual HBs seroconversion rate was 2.0/1, 000 person years.
Annual clearance rate of HBsAg increased with age, especially above 45 yo. Annual HBs seroconversion rate, however, did not increase with age.
A higher rate of acute deterioration of liver function and a lower rate of alcoholic drinker were shown in the HBs seroconversion cases compared with 1, 110 cases with continued positive HBsAg (p<0.005).
These results suggested that a variety of mechanisms worked on HBs seroconversion in HBsAg carriers.