Thelansis

  Chronic hepatitis B infection is defined as HBsAg in the serum for six months. HBeAg and HBV DNA (measured using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay) are viral replication and infectivity markers, whereas HBsAg is a hepatitis B viral infection marker. Cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death are severe complications of chronic infection. HBV DNA can be found in the serum without HBeAg in a small percentage of patients. The "precore" mutant in these patients prevents completion and excretion of the "e" antigen despite active HBV DNA replication and is linked to progressive liver disease. The risk of developing chronic hepatitis B after acute HBV infection is age-dependent; approximately 90% of infants become chronically infected. Less than 5% of adults experience chronic illness. If HBV transmission occurs at age ≤5 years, long ‐ term consequences such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or HCC would be significant problems. The competit...