Importance of prolidase activity for differential diagnosis between asymptomatic hepatitis B carriers and HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Nimet Yilmaz; Mehmet Koruk

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Importance of prolidase activity for differential diagnosis between asymptomatic hepatitis B carriers and HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Nimet Yilmaz, Mehmet Koruk

Abstract :

Background: Prolidase is an enzyme that eaks down the iminodipeptides that occur after collagen destruction. Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the importance of serum prolidase enzyme level in the differential diagnosis of asymptomatic CHB and HBeAg–negative CHB patients. Patients and methods: Biochemical analyses, serological parameters associated with HBV, and serum prolidase levels were measured in asymptomatic HBV carriers (n=65), active CHB patients (n=60), and healthy controls (n=27). Liver biopsies were performed on asymptomatic HBV carriers and active CHB patients. Results: Serum prolidase level was significantly higher in active CHB patients (819.92 ±123.74 IU/L) compared to asymptomatic HBV carriers (732.99 ±124.70 IU/L) and was higher in asymptomatic HBV carriers compared to healthy controls (529.4 ±74.73 IU/L) (p=0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of serum prolidase level was found to be strong in asymptomatic HBV carrier and HBeAg–negative CHB patient groups (c–statistics: 0.707). The diagnostic cut–off value of prolidase level was determined as 751.15 U/L (specificity: 63%, sensitivity: 72%, positive likelihood ratio: 1.97, and negative likelihood ratio: 0.43) by this analysis. A strong positive correlation was observed between serum prolidase level and the severity of fiosis in asymptomatic HBV carriers (r=0.603, p=0.000). A positive correlation was determined between serum prolidase level and histological activity index (HAI) scores in patients with active CHB and asymptomatic HBV carriers. Conclusions: Serum prolidase levels are associated with fiosis in CHB patients. Hence, prolidase may be a useful test for differentiating between asymptomatic HBV carriers and HBeAg–negative CHB patients.