Objective To explore correlated factors of liver histopathology in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectors with persistently normal ALT levels. Methods All of 167 chronic HBV infectors with persistently normal ALT levels (PNAL) who underwent liver biopsy were included in this study. According to age (< 20 years old,20-29 years old,30-39 years old,40-50 years old), HBV DNA level, HBV DNA positive or negative, hepatic tissue inflammation and fibrosis degree were compared respectively. Results Histological changes were found in all patients, including mild changes (G0-1S0-1, 29.94%), middle changes (G1-2S1-2, 33.53%), severe changes (> G2S2, 36.53%). The liver injury increased with the age growing (P < 0.05). HBV DNA load can not predict the degree of liver injury (P > 0.05).The difference of liver injury between HBV DNA positive group and negative group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions Liver biopsy and histopathology checking and antivirus therapy should be considered in chronic HBV infectors with PNAL, especially for 40-50 years old.
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