Abstract
Liver damage can progress through different stages, resulting in cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), conditions that are often associated with viral infections. Globally, 42% and 21% of cirrhosis cases correlate with HBV and HCV, respectively. In the Americas, the prevalence ranges from 1% to 44%. The WHO has the goal to eliminate viral hepatitis, but it is important to consider occult HBV infection (OBI), a clinical condition characterized by the presence of HBV genomes despite negative surface antigen tests. This review aims to provide an overview of recent data on OBI, focusing on its role in the development of hepatic diseases and its significance in the WHO Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan. Specific HBV gene mutations have been linked to HCC and other liver diseases. Factors related to the interactions between OBI and mutated viral proteins, which induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative DNA damage, and the potential role of HBV integration sites (such as the TERT promoter) have been identified in HCC/OBI patients. Health initiatives for OBI research in Latin American countries are crucial to achieving the WHO's goal of eradicating viral hepatitis by 2030, given the difficulty in diagnosing OBI and its unclear association with hepatic diseases.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
