Liver histology and HBV DNA levels in chronically HBV infected patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase.

Background: Data on histological activity and HBV DNA levels in patients with chronic HBV infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels are sparse. We aimed to investigate the histological activity and HBV DNA levels in these patients. Methods: There were 132 patients with HBeAg negative chronic HBV infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels that were included prospectively. Data were dichotomized according to the median levels. Associations of histology with HBV DNA and other variables were assessed. Results: A total of 80 patients were male. The median age was 36 years. The median baseline HBV DNA was 2.9Log10 IU/ mL. There were 50 cases (38%) with a total score �5, 53 cases (40.2%) had grade �4 and 40 cases (30.3%) had stage �2. A baseline HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL was seen in 24 cases (48 %) of those with total score �5, 28 cases (53%) of those with