It is known that approximately two billion people in the world have encountered hepatitis B virus (HBV), and about 400 million people are chronic Hepatitis B. It is estimated that 500.000–700.000 people die each year due to HBV infection and/or related complications
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The MPV measurement is a simple and easy method for evaluating platelet functions. MPV reflects platelet production rate. Large platelets are more active than small platelets metabolically and enzymatically also have greater prothrombotic potential 1. In addition to the measurements of MPV, PDW, PCT and P-LCR levels are inexpensive, easy to apply and are easily accessible indexes with routine blood count 6. Platelets associated with inflammatory markers play a role in the initiation and spread of vascular and inflammatory diseases. Thrombocyte-large cell ratio (P-LCR) is an index representing the percentage of platelets larger than 12 fL 1. Platelet distribution width (PDW) is an indicator of heterogeneity of platelet size. In addition to their role in thrombosis and hemostasis, in recent years, it has been stated that platelet level have increased. Platelet activation has been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of various diseases 7. MPV, which is considered to be the major platelet index, was evaluated in many infected patients. These include acute and chronic cholecystitis 8 infective endocarditis 9 and malaria 10. The association of MPV with hepatitis B and fibrosis has been reported in studies in China 11,12 and in Turkey 6,13. However, there were no studies on Hepatitis B and P-LCR. Gao et al. 14 were reviewed septic shock patients retrospectively in 2014. Platelet indices were recorded during the first five consecutive days after admission, as well as the penultimate and the last day of hospital stay. The data were compared between surviving and non-surviving patients. According to the study PDW and PLCR showed increased trends, while PCT and PLT decreased in the non-survivor group. A statistically significant difference was seen between survivors and non-survivors for platelet indices which make them easily available and useful prognostic markers for patients in septic shock. Hu et al. 11 indicated MPV has significantly increased in chronic HBV-infected patients and is associated with disease severity; thus, it may serve as an important biomarker. Ye Pan et al. 12 detected the relationship between inflammation and fibrosis also platelet parameters were analysed. Liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed by histopathology of biopsied liver tissue. PLT and PDW accounted for 20.5% of liver inflammation (n=677). PLT and PDW accounted for 18.4% of liver fibrosis. They indicated platelet parameters can provide valuable information for the assessment of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. In this study, in accordance with literature we found increase in MPV and decrease in PLT level in hepatitis B infectious patients. We also found that P-LCR level was increased in the same patient population.
It was shown that ALT and AST levels have increased in hepatocyte destruction with hepatitis B infection patients 15. It is also expected to detect high level of hepatic steatosis in chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) infection patients In a study of Chinese patients with prevalence and risk factors for CHB and hepatic steatosis, the effects of hepatic steatosis on the severity of liver damage were evaluated and hyperlipidemia was reported in CHB patients16. Kim et al. stated that chronic viral hepatitis B is frequently associated with hepatic steatosis and increases in LDL 17. Inflammation in liver is associated with impaired lipid metabolism 18. In this study statistically significant increase in AST, ALT, LDL levels were found in both HBV-DNA positive and HBV-DNA negative patients (P<0.05). The fact that fibrosis and steatosis were not determined at the cell level constitutes the limitation of this study. However, in this study, LDL elevation may be caused by impaired lipid metabolism due to inflammation.
In conclussion, a statistically significant increase in AST, ALT, LDL, MPV and P-LCR levels was found in HBV DNA positive patients but in contrast there was a statistically significant decrease in PLT level. These results suggest that noninvasive biochemical and hemogram parameters may contribute to follow up of chronic hepatitis B disease. We also suggest P-LCR should be consider as a part of the parameter of trombosit index in Hepatitis B infection.