[Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with various hepatopathies using in situ hybridization].

We have investigated, by "in situ" hibridisation, the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 45 patients with acute and chronic hepatic disorders directly related with HBV or with some seric HBV marker. Results has been related with serological markers and the different types of hepatopaties. The HBV-DNA was detected in PBMC more frequently in patients with hepatic alterations more prolongated (chronic active hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis and cirrhosis) than in acute hepatitis patients. It was not detected in any asymptomatic patient with HBV serological markers. As regards HBV serological markers, HBV-DNA was detected in PBMC in 8/11 HBsAg positive patients and in 11/34 HBsAg negative patients: 3 antiHBc positive, 5 antiHBc and antiHBs positive and 3 without conventional seric markers. The detection of HBV-DNA in antiHBc and/or antiHBs positive subjects means the virus may persist after recovery of infection and suggests PMBC could serve as additional reservoirs for reinfection of hepatocytes leading to a reactivation of the liver disease. Our results suggest that HBV infection of PBMC is a frequent event during HBV infection and can have important consequences fundamentally with respect to pathogenic mechanisms of HBV induced liver disease and to the transmission of the virus.