Korean J Gastroenterol.  2011 Mar;57(3):144-149. 10.4166/kjg.2011.57.3.144.

New Insight for HBV DNA and HBsAg Quantitation during Antiviral Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

• Cho YK
• Song BC

• KMID: 1128352
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2011.57.3.144

Abstract

Over the past decade, advances in the antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B have enabled the sustained suppression of hepatitis B viral replication and the prevention of progressive liver disease. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has been used to diagnose patients with hepatitis B virus infection. Recently, test for quantitative HBsAg titers are available and on-treatment HBsAg quantitations are used to predict treatment outcome. Serum HBV DNA levels have been shown to predict natural course of chronic hepatitis B infection. The HBV DNA levels have been reported to be positively correlated with the development of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and related death. The baseline and on-treatment levels of HBV DNA are important factors for predicting treatment outcomes. In this article, we will discuss the role of HBV DNA and HBsAg quantitation during antiviral therapy.

Keyword

Chronic hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus DNA; Hepatitis B surface antigens

MeSH Terms

Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology
DNA, Viral/*blood
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*blood
Hepatitis B virus/*genetics
Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications/*drug therapy
Humans
Lamivudine/therapeutic use
Liver Cirrhosis/etiology
Liver Neoplasms/etiology
Nucleosides/therapeutic use
Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use

Reference

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