Evaluation of Selected Biochemical Parameters, CRP and Viral Load in Hepatitis B Patients with Acyclic Phosphate-Resistant Genes at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital
Nti, H. I. *
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Elekima, I.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Tamuno-Emine, D.G.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Onwuli, D.O.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To estimate the activities of aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as concentrations of alpha fetoprotein, C reactive Protein and viral load in Hepatitis B positive subjects at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
Study Design: Analytical Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Rivers State University Teaching hospital, between February and August 2024.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study compared 88 HBV-positive subjects (44 naïve, 44 on ART) with 50 HBV-negative controls. Liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT), CRP, AFP, and viral load were measured. DNA was extracted using a commercial kit and analysed via nested PCR. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was determined using t-tests/ANOVA and data analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 9.02.
Results: HBV-positive subjects showed significantly higher AST (46.75 vs. 37.04 U/L), ALT (55.17 vs. 38.10 U/L), ALP (237.1 vs. 175.4 U/L), GGT (103.1 vs. 48.54 U/L), CRP (5.33 vs. 4.09 ng/mL), and AFP (166.20 vs. 7.72 ng/mL) compared to controls (p < 0.05). Resistance genes A202C (7%), T184G (10%), and A181T (61–62%) were detected.
Conclusion: HBV infection is associated with elevated liver injury and inflammatory markers, alongside prevalent resistance genes. Regular monitoring of these parameters is critical for clinical management.
Keywords: Liver enzymes, Hepatitis B, acyclic phosphate resistant genes, rivers state university teaching hospital