ABSTRACT Current guidelines to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are based on risk assessments that include age, sex, and virological and biochemical parameters. The study aim was to investigate the impact of predictive markers on long‐term outcomes. The clinical outcomes of 100 patients with chronic hepatitis B were investigated 30 years after a baseline assessment that included liver biopsy. A favourable outcome—HBsAg loss or HBeAg‐negative infection (ENI; previo…

Viral particles do not significantly contribute to HBsAg levels in serum and in HBeAg-negative patients, and the VP/SVP ratio is much lower than previously described. The contribution from cccDNA to HBsAg levels seems to be significant only when the HBV DNA serum levels are very high and reflect a cccDNA content in the liver that produces HBsAg in amounts that equal or are greater than from integrated HBV DNA.

Abstract This study utilized digital PCR to quantify HBV RNA and HBV DNA within three regions of the HBV genome. Analysis of 75 serum samples from patients with chronic infection showed that HBV RNA levels were higher in core than in S and X regions (median 7.20 vs. 6.80 and 6.58 log copies/mL; p < .0001), whereas HBV DNA levels showed an inverse gradient (7.71 vs. 7.73 and 7.77 log copies/mL, p < .001). On average 80% of the nucleic acid was DNA by quantification in core. The core DNA/RNA ratio was associat…

Despite access to effective antiviral drugs and vaccines, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health issue worldwide. HBV is highly infectious and may cause chronic infection, progressive liver damage, hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and death. Early diagnosis, proper management and timing of treatment are crucial. The Swedish Reference group for Antiviral Treatment (RAV) here provides updated evidence-based guidelines for treatment and management of HBV infection which may be applicable also in other co…