Diagnostic precision of Truenat® technique and co-relation of ALT levels with HBV-DNA viral load among HBsAg positive patients at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Sarita Kumari; Bechan Kumar Gautam; Amresh Kumar Singh; Vivek Gaur; Ankur Kumar

doi:10.18502/ijm.v16i1.14882

Sarita Kumari State Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh, India
Bechan Kumar Gautam Model Treatment Centre, Department of Medicine, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh, India
Amresh Kumar Singh State Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh, India
Vivek Gaur State Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh, India
Ankur Kumar State Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v16i1.14882

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B surface antigens; HBV infection; Diagnostic precision

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In India, it is estimated that there are 40 million people suffering from Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Quantification of the viral burden is an important laboratory tool in the management. However, widespread use of different HBV-DNA assays is still affected by the high cost and variable diagnostic precision. The present study was conduct- ed to evaluate the diagnostic precision and co-relation of ALT levels with HBV-DNA by Truenat®-PCR.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study a total of 567 serums were collected from patients by rapid HBsAg, and processed for liver function tests (LFT). The viral HBV-DNA amplification detection was carried out through by Truenat®-PCR test.

Results: Out of 567 samples, 452 samples were found to be positive by both rapid and Truenat®-PCR and 106 were negative for HBV-DNA followed by 9 invalid. High ALT level found in 73% of positive patients who had HBV-DNA level (>100000 copies/ml) which is significantly higher in 447 patients as compared to those have below ≤100000 copies/ml.

Conclusion: Truenat®-PCR technique is a highly sensitive and can be performed with low resources for effective control of HBV infection. Evaluation of HBV-DNA levels and serum ALT levels showed a significant proportion of patient harbored ongoing viral replication and disease progression.