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.

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 conducted 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.