New viral biomarkers for Hepatitis B: Are we able to change practice?

摘要

Summary The management of chronic hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) infection is challenged by its varying natural course and its stealthy nature. Not all HBV ‐infected patients will develop complications of infection; however, it is of utmost importance to identify patients who are at risk and require antiviral treatment and/or close surveillance. Hepatic inflammation and quantification of HBV DNA have guided treatment decisions in the last decade, and these guided interventions have been shown to reduce liver‐related complications and death. Data on the quantification of additional HBV markers such as hepatitis B surface antigen ( HB sAg), hepatitis B core‐related antigen ( HB crAg) and hepatitis B virus RNA ( HBV RNA ) have accumulated in recent years. Here, we review the current evidence of how to use these markers and discuss open issues that require additional research.