Evaluation of Selected Biochemical Parameters, CRP and Viral Load in Hepatitis B Patients with Acyclic Phosphate-Resistant Genes at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

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.