Noninvasive serum markers for predicting significant liver histopathology in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients with normal alanine aminotransferase.

Abstract

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were supposed to have a low risk of progression to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, and it was recommended to regularly follow up or undergo liver biopsy to assess liver histopathology according to the major international guidelines. However, this study indicates that a considerable number of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients with normal ALT have significant liver histopathology and require immediate antiviral treatment. Besides, several clinical commonly used noninvasive indicators were found that can be used to predict significant liver histopathology; thereby liver biopsy might be avoided for HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients with normal ALT.