Phases Of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Research Articles

Attenuated effector T cells are linked to control of chronic HBV infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8+ T cells play a dominant role during acute-resolving HBV infection but are functionally impaired during chronic HBV infection in humans. These functional deficits have been linked with metabolic and phenotypic heterogeneity, but it has remained unclear to what extent different subsets of HBV-specific CD8+ T cells still suppress viral replication. We addressed this issue by deep profiling, functional testing and perturbation of HBV-specific CD8+ T cells during different phases of chronic HBV infection. Our data revealed a mechanism of effector CD8+ T cell attenuation that emerges alongside classical CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Attenuated HBV-specific CD8+ T cells were characterized by cytotoxic properties and a dampened effector differentiation program, determined by antigen recognition and TGFβ signaling, and were associated with viral control during chronic HBV infection. These observations identify a distinct subset of CD8+ T cells linked with immune efficacy in the context of a chronic human viral infection with immunotherapeutic potential.

Estimating the key outcomes and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients in immune-tolerant phase of chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The question of whether patients in the immune-tolerant (IT) phase of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection should undergo antiviral therapy and determine the optimal regimen remains unclear. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang Data from inception to 5 December 2023, was conducted. Studies reporting on key outcomes such as HBV DNA undetectability, HBeAg loss or seroconversion, HBsAg loss or seroconversion, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in patients in the IT phase of chronic HBV infection were included. In total, 23 studies were incorporated. Approximately 4% of patients in the IT phase achieved spontaneous HBeAg loss over 48weeks of follow-up. Antiviral therapy demonstrated a favourable impact on HBV DNA negative conversion (Children: risk ratios [RR]=6.83, 95% CI: 2.90-16.05; Adults: RR=25.84, 95% CI: 6.47-103.31) and HBsAg loss rates (Children: RR=9.49, 95% CI: 1.74-51.76; Adults: RR=7.35, 95% CI: 1.41-38.27) for patients in the IT phase. Subgroup analysis revealed that in adult patients in the IT phase, interferon plus nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA)-treated patients exhibited a higher pooled rate of HBsAg loss or seroconversion than those treated with NA monotherapy (9% vs. 0%). Additionally, the pooled annual HCC incidence for patients in the IT phase was 3.03 cases per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 0.99-5.88). Adult patients in the IT phase had a significantly lower HCC incidence risk than HBeAg-positive indeterminate phase patients (RR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.32-0.66), with no significant differences observed between IT and immune-active phases. Presently, there is insufficient evidence solely based on reducing the risk of HCC incidence, to recommend treating patients in the IT phase of chronic HBV infection. However, both adult and paediatric patients in the IT phase responded well to antiviral therapy, showing favourable rates of HBsAg loss or seroconversion.

Nursing observations of stage-based care in patients diagnosed with hepatitis B virus infection based on TBIL and ALT levels.

This study explored techniques and effects of stage-based care on patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The clinical data of 156 patients with chronic HBV infection treated in our hospital from September 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and classified as the experimental group (EG). Patients were categorized into early, intermediate, and late hepatitis stages and received targeted clinical care during the various phases of chronic HBV infection. In addition, 144 cases of patients with chronic HBV admitted to the hospital from January 2018 to August 2018 and treated without stage-based care were classified as the control group (COG). General care was implemented for all patients before the initiation of stage-based care. Patient satisfaction, mortality rates of patients at different stages, liver pain scores, depression scores, blood biochemical indices, and alanine transaminase and total bilirubin levels before and after nursing care were compared. The total satisfaction rate of the EG group (90.38%) was significantly higher than that of the COG group (83.33%) (P < .05). We found no significant differences in the mortality rates of early-, middle-, and late-stage patients in the EG group when compared with those of the COG group at corresponding stages (P < .05). The self-care agency scores (for all dimensions) and psychosocial adaptation scores in the EG group were significantly higher than those in the COG group (P < .05) after care. Moreover, the pain scores in the EG group were significantly lower than those in the COG group after care (P < .05). Furthermore, the observed psychological status of patients in the EG group significantly improved when compared with that in the COG group (P < .05). Stage-based care for patients with severe chronic type B hepatitis increased clinical satisfaction, relieved pain, reduced depression, and improved blood biochemical indices. Therefore, stage-based care for chronic HBV infection should be included in the clinical environment.

A systematic comparison reveals dynamic differences in early adaptive immune responses of acute-resolving versus chronic HBV replication.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been characterized by lack of effective adaptive immune responses which are vital for the viral clearance. However, very little is known about the dynamics of adaptive immune responses during the early phase of chronic HBV infection especially in spleen and liver. Here, we used the hydrodynamic injection (HDI) mouse model to kinetically characterize differences in the features of adaptive immunity, including the frequencies, phenotypes and function of antigen-presenting cells and T cells in the spleen, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and liver, of chronic versus acute-resolving HBV replication (AR). We found that mice with AR miceand mice with chronic HBV replication (CH) miceshowed early splenomegaly accompanied by T cell expansion in spleen but not in liver after HDI. Interestingly, the early and continuous increase in HBV-specific CD8+ T cells in spleen of CH mice was comparable to that in the AR mice. However, the splenic T cells of CH mice showed no activation phenotype compared with those in AR mice. Besides, increases in activated effector CD8+ T cells in PBMCs and liver at later time points were only observed in AR mice but not CH mice. CH mice also showed insufficient expansion of dendritic cells (DCs) in spleen and increased programmed death-1expression in DCs of the liver compared to AR mice. The adoptive transfer of total splenocytes or splenic CD8+ T cells of AR mice to CH mice demonstrated that their ability to break HBV tolerance varies at different stages of HBV clearance. Moreover, the adoptive transfer of splenocytes from AR mice induce functional activation of endogenous HBV-specific CD8+ T cells of CH mice. Our results suggest that early T cell priming and expansion initially happens in the periphery after HBV antigen exposure in acute-resolving and chronic replication. The paucity of T cell activation, and subsequent migration and liver infiltration is a key feature of the adaptive immune responses during the early phase of CH, which is probably caused by the dysfunction of DCs.

Early clinical efficacy of pegylated interferon treatment in patients with different phases of chronic HBV infection: A real-world analysis.

Although there are therapeutic advantages for hepatitis B virus (HBV) withpegylated interferon alpha (peg-IFNα) treatment compared with nucleos(t)ide analog (NAs) therapy, the effect difference in infected population at different phases has not been well established. We studied the clinical efficacy of peg-IFNα in two populations with HBV infection, including inactive HBsAg carrier (IHC) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 328 HBV-infected patients were included in this real-world analysis. Patients were divided into two groups according to the infected stages. Peg-IFNα monotherapy or combination therapy with NAs were used in IHCs, and peg-IFNα added-on NAs therapy was applied to patients with CHB. The primary efficacy endpoint was HBsAg loss at Week 24. Results: The Kaplan-Meier cumulative rates of HBsAg loss were 39.50% (n=47/119) in IHC group and 28.71% (n=60/209) in CHB group at Week 24 (p < .05). After Propensity Score Matching (PSM), the HBsAg loss rates were 36.84% (n=35/95) and 32.63% (n=31/95), respectively (p > .05). Patients with baseline HBsAg level < 100 IU/ml achieved higher rates of HBsAg clearance in IHC and CHB group (before PSM: 47.44% vs. 42.86%, after PSM: 49.12% vs. 45.83%, all p values > .05). Baseline HBsAg level and its level decline from baseline to Week 12 can be as the predictors for HBsAg loss at Week 24 in both groups. Hence, the efficacy of HBsAg clearance was broadly similar between IHCs and NA-treated CHB patients during the early peg-IFNα therapy. A significant downward trend of HBsAg level was observed in both groups during peg-IFNα therapy.

Association of Common Polymorphisms in the Interleukin-1 Beta Gene with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Caucasian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) promotes liver disease progression and hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promotor region of the IL-1β gene can affect the progression towards liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aims: We aimed to investigate the association of three common IL-1β SNPs with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC in Caucasian patients. Method: A Caucasian cohort of 99 patients with HBe antigen (Ag)-positive CHB, 255 patients with HBeAg-negative CHB and 278 inactive carriers (IC) were enrolled. 105 patients were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, and 64 with HCC and cirrhosis. Genotyping of the IL-1β rs1143623, rs1143627 and rs16944 was performed. Results: The rs1143627 TT and rs16944 CC genotypes were more frequent in patients with HCC compared to patients without liver tumours (48% vs. 33%, p = 0.018 and 47% vs. 31%, p = 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the rs16944 CC genotype was independently associated with HCC (OR = 6.44 [95% CI 1.50-27.59] p = 0.012). The haplotype, including rs1143623 TT and rs16944 CC, was a risk factor for HCC development (OR = 1.55 [95% CI 1.04-2.32] p = 0.031). Conclusions: We identified an association of common IL-1β SNPs with HBV-related HCC in a Caucasian population. The effect was independent of the phases of chronic HBV infection, which are currently regarded as important HCC risk factors.

Multifaceted Defects in Monocytes in Different Phases of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Lack of Restoration after Antiviral Therapy.

Monocytes play an important role in the control of microbial infection, but monocyte biology during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHI) remains inadequately studied. We investigated the frequency, phenotype, and functions of monocyte subsets in different phases of CHI, namely, immune tolerance (IT), hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)-positive/HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (EP-/EN-CHB, respectively), and inactive carrier (IC), identified factors responsible for their functional alterations, and determined the impact of antiviral therapy on these cells. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that HLA-DR+ CD14++ CD16- classical monocytes were significantly reduced while HLA-DR+ CD14++ CD16+ intermediate and HLA-DR+ CD14+ CD16++ nonclassical monocytes were expanded in IT and EP-/EN-CHB compared with those in IC and healthy controls (HC). In comparison to IC/HC, monocytes in IT and CHB exhibited diminished expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2)/TLR-4/TLR-9 and cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12)/tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/IL-6 but produced higher levels of IL-10/transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Further, monocytes in CHB/IT showed impaired phagocytosis and oxidative response relative to those in IC/HC. In vitro assays indicated that high titers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) present in IT/CHB and of IL-4 in CHB triggered the functional defects in monocytes via induction of β-catenin. Additionally, monocyte-derived M1 macrophages of CHB/IT produced fewer proinflammatory and more anti-inflammatory cytokines than those of IC/HC, while in CHB/IT, the monocytes skewed the differentiation of CD4+ T cells more toward regulatory T cells and a Th2 phenotype. Moreover, monocytes in CHB and IT overexpressed chemokine receptor CCR2, which coincided with increased intrahepatic accumulation of β-catenin+ CD14+ cells. One year of tenofovir therapy failed to normalize monocyte functions or reduce serum HBsAg/IL-4 levels. Taken together, monocytes are functionally perturbed mostly in IT and EP-/EN-CHB phases. Targeting intramonocytic β-catenin or reducing HBsAg/IL-4 levels might restore monocyte function and facilitate viral clearance. IMPORTANCE Chronic HBV infection (CHI) is a major cause of end-stage liver disease for which pharmacological treatments currently available are inadequate. Chronically HBV-infected patients fail to mount an efficient immune response to the virus, impeding viral clearance and recovery from hepatitis. Monocytes represent a central part of innate immunity, but a comprehensive understanding on monocyte involvement in CHI is still lacking. We here report a multitude of defects in monocytes in chronically HBV-infected patients that include alteration in subset distribution, Toll-like receptor expression, cytokine production, phagocytic activity, oxidative response, migratory ability, polarization of monocyte-derived macrophages, and monocyte-T-cell interaction. We demonstrated that high levels of hepatitis B virus surface antigen and IL-4 potentiate these defects in monocytes via β-catenin induction while therapy with the nucleotide analog tenofovir fails to restore monocyte function. Our findings add to the continuing effort to devise new immunotherapeutic strategies that could reverse the immune defects in CHI.

Perspectives on current controversial issues in the management of chronic HBV infection.

Clinical and basic research in the past decades has achieved consensus in the understanding of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the management of chronic hepatitis B and HBV-cirrhosis. However, debatable challenges to the existing consensus in the concept and/or definitions have emerged. These include (1). alanine aminotransferase upper limit of normal: traditional laboratory-defined vs fixed; (2). nomenclature for phases of chronic HBV infection: classical vs EASL proposal; (3). indication of antiviral therapy: to treat patients vs to treat HBV; (4). finite vs indefinite long-term antiviral therapy: A. finite therapy in HBV-cirrhosis; B. retreatment decision: biochemical markers vs HBsAg/ALT kinetics. The pros and cons of these controversial issues were reviewed, assessed, and discussed in depth based on relevant lines of scientific evidence, intended to clarify or solve these controversial issues.

Association of reduced renal function with different phase of chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Background: The association between chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial, and whether the cause is related to the different phases of chronic HBV infection remains unclear. Methods: A large cross-sectional study was performed to show the prevalence of reduced renal function during chronic HBV infection in adults from 7 multi-centers of Shenzhen City in China. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was used to evaluate the effect of HBV infection on the risk of renal impairment. Results: 33.04% HBsAg (+) patients had eGFR &lt; 90, while patients without HBV exposure, 32.73% had eGFR &lt; 90, showing no significant difference. There was no significant difference between those with elevated and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) groups. Moreover, according to stratified statistics of different phases of the disease, liver cirrhosis, especially decompensated liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed a significant decrease in renal function compared with CBH (P = 0). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that liver disease different phases independently associated with reduced renal function. Conclusion: During the early CHB phase of chronic HBV infection (either elevated ALT or normal) did not increase the risk of renal dysfunction compares no exposure to HBV. However, when CHB progress to end-stage liver disease were associated with reduced kidney function. Additionally, Hoek formula should be recommended for patients with end-stage liver disease.

Obstetric implications of maternal chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Antenatal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity is widely adopted to identify pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in order to target their newborn infants for combined passive-active neonatal immunization to prevent the maternal-to-child transmission of HBV. It is less certain whether the presence of chronic HBV infection in these largely asymptomatic women could impact their pregnancy outcome. There is now gathering information in the literature, though sometimes conflicting, on the obstetric implications of chronic HBV infection. The conflicting data is most probably related to confounding factors such as the immunological phase of chronic HBV infection, viral genotype and activity, presence of hepatic inflammation and other co-existing liver disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and coinfection with other virus such as hepatitis C virus and micro-organisms, which are usually not examined, but which could have made significant influence on the occurrence of many of the pregnancy complications and adverse fetal and neonatal outcome. For pregnancy complications, the evidence suggests association with increased gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, caesarean delivery, and postpartum haemorrhage, probably increased placental abruption and prelabour rupture of the membranes, and no effect or a reduction in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, especially preeclampsia. For perinatal outcome, there may be increased miscarriage and fetal malformations, and increase in both low birthweight and large-for-gestational age/macrosomic infants, as well as increased intrauterine fetal demise/stillbirth and fetal distress. However, most studies have not elaborated on the mechanisms or explanations of many of the adverse outcomes. Taken together, maternal chronic HBV infection increases the risk of adverse obstetric outcome overall, but further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the reasons and mechanisms of, and with a view to mitigate, these adverse obstetric outcomes.

CCDC88A/GIV promotes HBV replication and progeny secretion via enhancing endosomal trafficking and blocking autophagic degradation

ABSTRACT Hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles are thought to be secreted from hepatocytes through multivesicular bodies (MVBs); however, the cellular trafficking mechanisms prior to this process remain elusive. It has been reported that CCDC88A/GIV expression, which is involved in multiple aspects of vesicular trafficking, changes dynamically at different phases of chronic HBV infection. In this study, we focused on the role of CCDC88A/GIV in HBV replication. In the liver tissues of chronically HBV-infected patients, HBV infection significantly enhanced CCDC88A/GIV expression, and increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagosome formation without changing endosome formation. Additionally, colocalization of SHBsAg with early endosomes (~30.2%) far exceeded that with autophagosomes (~3.2%). In hepatoma cells, CCDC88A/GIV and its downstream proteins, DNM2 (dynamin 2; a CCDC88A/GIV effector), CLTC and RAB5A significantly enhanced HBV replication and endosome formation but inhibited autophagosome formation. Blocking endocytosis disrupted HBsAg trafficking to endosomes and caused its accumulation in the ER lumen, which triggered ER stress to initiate the unfolded protein response (UPR). Therefore, HBsAg trafficking into autophagosomes was increased, and the lysosomal activity and maturation, which was inhibited by HBV infection, were restored. Meanwhile, core particles were prevented from entering MVBs. CCDC88A/GIV and its other effector, GNAI3, decreased autophagic flux by enhancing the insulin-induced AKT-MTOR pathway, thereby inhibiting HBV antigens autophagic degradation. In conclusion, CCDC88A/GIV enhanced HBV replication by increasing endosomal trafficking and reducing autophagic degradation of HBV antigens, suggesting that CCDC88A/GIV-mediated endosomal trafficking plays an important role in HBV replication and progeny secretion. AbbreviationsACTB: actin beta; AO: acridine orange; ATF6: activating transcription factor 6; CCDC88A/GIV: coiled-coil domain containing 88A; CLTC: clathrin heavy chain; CQ: chloroquine; DAPI: 4ʹ,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; DNM2: dynamin 2; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; ERN1: endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1; EIF2A: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2A; FBS: fetal bovine serum; GNAI3: G protein subunit alpha i3; HBV: hepatitis B virus; HBV RIs: HBV replication intermediates; HBcAg: HBV core protein; HBsAg: HBV surface antigen; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MVBs: multivesicular bodies; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; PDI: protein disulfide isomerase; PHH: primary human hepatocyte; pSM2: a HBV replication-competent plasmid; HSPA5/BIP: heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 5; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; siRNA: small interfering RNA; SEM: standard error of the mean; UPR: unfolded protein response

P322 Hepatitis B reactivation under biologic therapy in patients with HBsAg negative phase of chronic HBV infection

Abstract Background Biologic agents are widely used in immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). The risk and consequences of hepatitis B reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative phase of hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposed patients is not clear. We aim to investigate the reactivation rate in biologic exposed patients within surface antigen negative phase of HBV infection. Methods We identified patients followed up at gastroenterology, rheumatology and dermatology out-patient clinics with a diagnosis of IMID from clinical charts. Patients exposed to biologic agents with a negative HBsAg and positive Anti-HBc IgG were included. Primary outcome was HBV reactivation, which was defined as reverse seroconversion of HBsAg. Results We screened 8266 IMID patients and 2484 of them were exposed to biologic agents. A total of 221 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 54.08 ± 11.69 years and 115 (52.0%) patients were female. The median number of different biologic subtype use was 1 (range: 1 – 6). The mean biologic agent exposure time was 55 (range: 2 – 179) months. One hundred and fifty-two (68.8%) patients were using concomitant immunomodulatory agents and 84 (38.0%) patients were exposed to corticosteroids during biologic use. No hepatitis B reactivation with a reverse seroconversion of HBsAg positivity was observed in the whole cohort. Antiviral prophylaxis for hepatitis B was given to 48 (21.7%) patients with entecavir, tenofovir or lamivudine. HBV-DNA was screened in 56 (25.3%) patients prior to the biologic exposure. Two patients had HBV-DNA reactivation with a negative HBsAg during exposure to the biologic agent. Conclusion Though only 21.7% of our patients used prophylaxis, we found only two reactivations (1%) and no HBsAg seroconversion in our cohort. Our results suggest a re-assessment of antiviral prophylaxis for anti-HBc Ag (+) patients exposed to biologic agents. Current guidelines would be updated in the light of future studies.

Precore and Basal Core Promoter Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Variants Are Present From a Young Age and Differ Across HBV Genotypes.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) precore (PC) and dual basal core promoter (BCP) mutations halt and down-regulate hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) production respectively. PC mutation is rarely associated with HBV genotype A. We sought to examine the association of these variants with HBV genotypes, age, and HBeAg status in a racially diverse population in North America. Prospective study included 1,036 (808 adults, 228 children) participants in the Hepatitis B Research Network. PC and BCP variants were determined by Sanger sequencing, and dominant HBV species (>50%) were reported. Median age was 36.3years (range, 2-80), 44.6% HBeAg(+), 74.2% Asians, 13.3% black, and 9.7% white. The dominant PC variant was present in 29.4% participants, including 20 with subgenotype A1 or A2. Seventeen of 20 participants with genotype A and PC had a compensatory C1858T mutation. In the HBeAg(+) cohort, the prevalence of PC and/or BCP variants increased from 14.4% in the first two decades to 51% after 40years of age. Among those aged 2-18, 52% and 83% with dominant PC and BCP variants were HBeAg(+) compared to 3.8% and 29% in the >40years age group. HBeAg clearance rates were significantly higher for those with dominant PC or BCP variants: 24.4 and 15.0 per 100 person-years compared to 6.0 in wild-type HBV (P<0.0001). PC variants can be present in HBV genotype A and are usually associated with C1858T, which preserves the pregenome encapsidation sequence. Selection of PC and BCP variants occurred at a young age, with increasing prevalence across age groups. HBeAg(+) participants with dominant PC and BCP variants progressed to the HBeAg(-) phase of chronic HBV infection significantly faster. This finding has potential clinical and therapeutic implications.

Natural History of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection Among Chinese Children and Young Adults: A Single-Center Experience.

There are limited data on the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Asian American children. The aim of the present study was to describe a single-center experience of chronic HBV infection in Chinese American patients in New York City. A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with chronic HBV infection who had pediatric visits from 2006 to 2017. Clinical and laboratory data were collected to characterize the status of HBV infection and its disease course both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Available maternal charts were reviewed. Of the total 353 patients, 72 patients (20%) were US-born. Positive hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) was documented in 208 patients (58%). Three phases of chronic HBV infection were categorized for 329 patients: immune-tolerant 112 (34%), HBeAg-positive immune-active 47 (14%), and inactive carrier 82 (25%). The remaining 88 patients (27%) did not fit into a particular category with 26 of 88 patients meeting the criteria for inactive carrier except for mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase. Age and liver enzyme levels were significantly different between HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative groups (P < 0.05). Among 179 patients followed for ≥5 years, the spontaneous seroconversion rate was 38%. In eight patients with linked maternal data, all children completed the HBV vaccine series and seven of eight received hepatitis B immunoglobulin. All mothers were HBeAg-positive with high HBV DNA and had no anti-viral therapy during pregnancy. Both immune-tolerant and inactive carrier phases were common for chronic HBV infection with a spontaneous seroconversion rate of 38%. All US-born patients were born in the era of implemented universal immune-prophylaxis.

Hepatitis B Virus

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden worldwide, with approximately 257 million people with chronic infection. HBV is a small partially double-stranded DNA virus that replicates within the nucleus of the hepatocyte and commonly leads to chronic infection. Chronic HBV infection can cause cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extrahepatic manifestations such as glomerulonephritis or vasculitis. The latter is due to deposition of circulating immune complex in the different tissues. The natural history of HBV infection can be conceptualized as a spectrum encompassing different phases, including immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier, and reactivation and resolution. The diagnosis of the different phases of chronic HBV infection relies on various HBV serologies, liver enzyme levels, and histology findings. There are currently eight therapies approved for the treatment of HBV. Tenofovir alafenamide was the most recently approved therapy with a better side effect profile compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. With the recent advances in the basic research in hepatitis B, new treatment options may become available in the near-future. This review contains 9 figures, 11 tables and 80 references Key words: cirrhosis, entecavir, Hepadnaviridae, hepatitis B virus, hepatocellular carcinoma, precore mutation, tenofovir

Hepatitis B Virus

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden worldwide, with approximately 257 million people with chronic infection. HBV is a small partially double-stranded DNA virus that replicates within the nucleus of the hepatocyte and commonly leads to chronic infection. Chronic HBV infection can cause cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extrahepatic manifestations such as glomerulonephritis or vasculitis. The latter is due to deposition of circulating immune complex in the different tissues. The natural history of HBV infection can be conceptualized as a spectrum encompassing different phases, including immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier, and reactivation and resolution. The diagnosis of the different phases of chronic HBV infection relies on various HBV serologies, liver enzyme levels, and histology findings. There are currently eight therapies approved for the treatment of HBV. Tenofovir alafenamide was the most recently approved therapy with a better side effect profile compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. With the recent advances in the basic research in hepatitis B, new treatment options may become available in the near-future. This review contains 9 figures, 11 tables and 80 references Key words: cirrhosis, entecavir, Hepadnaviridae, hepatitis B virus, hepatocellular carcinoma, precore mutation, tenofovir

Hepatitis B Virus

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden worldwide, with approximately 257 million people with chronic infection. HBV is a small partially double-stranded DNA virus that replicates within the nucleus of the hepatocyte and commonly leads to chronic infection. Chronic HBV infection can cause cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extrahepatic manifestations such as glomerulonephritis or vasculitis. The latter is due to deposition of circulating immune complex in the different tissues. The natural history of HBV infection can be conceptualized as a spectrum encompassing different phases, including immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier, and reactivation and resolution. The diagnosis of the different phases of chronic HBV infection relies on various HBV serologies, liver enzyme levels, and histology findings. There are currently eight therapies approved for the treatment of HBV. Tenofovir alafenamide was the most recently approved therapy with a better side effect profile compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. With the recent advances in the basic research in hepatitis B, new treatment options may become available in the near-future. This review contains 9 figures, 11 tables and 80 references Key words: cirrhosis, entecavir, Hepadnaviridae, hepatitis B virus, hepatocellular carcinoma, precore mutation, tenofovir

Hepatitis B Virus

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden worldwide, with approximately 257 million people with chronic infection. HBV is a small partially double-stranded DNA virus that replicates within the nucleus of the hepatocyte and commonly leads to chronic infection. Chronic HBV infection can cause cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extrahepatic manifestations such as glomerulonephritis or vasculitis. The latter is due to deposition of circulating immune complex in the different tissues. The natural history of HBV infection can be conceptualized as a spectrum encompassing different phases, including immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier, and reactivation and resolution. The diagnosis of the different phases of chronic HBV infection relies on various HBV serologies, liver enzyme levels, and histology findings. There are currently eight therapies approved for the treatment of HBV. Tenofovir alafenamide was the most recently approved therapy with a better side effect profile compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. With the recent advances in the basic research in hepatitis B, new treatment options may become available in the near-future. This review contains 9 figures, 11 tables and 80 references Key words: cirrhosis, entecavir, Hepadnaviridae, hepatitis B virus, hepatocellular carcinoma, precore mutation, tenofovir

TOX defines the degree of CD8+ T cell dysfunction in distinct phases of chronic HBV infection

ObjectiveChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is characterised by HBV-specific CD8+ T cell dysfunction that has been linked to Tcell exhaustion, a distinct differentiation programme associated with persisting antigen recognition....

Immune-pathological phases of chronic Hepatitis B infections among Sudanese individuals towards personalization of management

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an immune liver disease affecting millions worldwide. Despite availability of an efficacious vaccine, elimination of HBV infections is aloft. This study aimed to identify the immune-pathological phases of chronic HBV infection (CHBV) among Sudanese individuals to refine management strategies. Materials and methods: In a prospective cross-sectional study and following informed consent, 1593 individuals with HBs Ag reactivity were enrolled. Serum total protein/ albumin, ALT, AST, total bilirubin, HBs Ag/Ab, HBe Ag/Ab, HBc IgM/HBc total antibodies and HBV viral loads were measured. Results: Mean aminotransferase levels for HBs Ag-reactive individuals were significantly higher compared to apparently normal individuals, while the mean total protein and serum albumin were within normal ranges. The majority of HBs Ag-reactive individuals were reactive to total anti-HBc and HBe Ab, while concurrent HBe Ag/Ab reactivity was seen in a minority. Inactive carriers constituted the majority of HBs Ag reactive individuals, while the immune tolerance CHBV phase could not be identified. The reactivation phase had the highest viral load. Conclusion: inactive carrier state is the predominant immune-pathological phase among Chronic HBV Sudanese individuals. Regular follow ups and no oral anti-viral drug treatment as the management of choice to reduce cost, drug-associated toxicities and emergence of resistant strains.