Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of salivary ?₂M as a marker of viral proliferation in HBS Ag⁺, HBV DNA PCR⁺ and Hbs Ag⁺ and HBV DNA PCR^- subjects.

Background: Beta-2 microglobulin (?₂M) is responsible for transmission of viral antigens such as Hepatitis B (HBV) on the surface of liver cells as part of an HLA complex.

Patients and methods: In this case control study, 25 PCR⁺ and 2 PCR^- patients were included. 5 mL of the saliva sample was obtained from all patients and salivary ?₂M level was measured using nephelometer. The data was evaluated by the descriptive, chi square and t tests.

Results: 72% of the PCR⁺ patients received medications and in contrast, 85.7% of the patients with PCR^- did not take any medication (P<0.001). The average salivary concentration ofBeta-2 microglobulin in the PCR⁺ group (5.28 ± 5.45 mg/deciliter) was more than PCR^- group (1.51±0.77) and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.003).

Conclusion: the salivary B₂Mlevel can be used as a marker of viral proliferation in patients with hepatitis B.