Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Factors associated with natural seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen and prognosis after seroclearance: a
Jeong Hwan Kim1, Joon Hyoek Lee, Sang Jong Park
1Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Background/Aims:
Although the natural seroclearance rate of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is reported to be 0.4-2% in western countries, this is not well known in Korea. This study aimed to elucidate the rate of natural HbsAg seroclearance, factors associated with seroclearance and prognosis after seroclearance.
Methodology:
In 1999, 250 chronic HBsAg carriers without any history of antiviral treatment and without any evidence of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma were selected. Follow-up HBsAg/ anti-HBs tests were performed annually till 2004. During a mean follow-up period of 48 months, 24 patients were lost and 11 received antiviral treatment. Finally, 215 patients completed the study.
Results:
HBsAg seroclearance was observed in 11 patients (6 males, 5 females). One-year seroclearance rate was 1.4%. All patients who achieved seroclearance were HBeAg (-)/HBV DNA (-) at the time of enrollment. Additionally, old age and normal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were the factors associated with seroclearance (p < 0.05, respectively). During the follow-up period, only mild transient elevations of ALT were observed in 4 patients and no serious complications were observed.
Conclusions:
Natural seroclearance occurred exclusively in patients who were HBeAg (-)/HBV-DNA (-), and annual rate of natural HBsAg seroclearance was 1.4%. No significant complications were observed after seroclearance.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatitis
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
Genital Herpes
Hepatic Drug Clearance: Effect of Protein Binding
For low-extraction-ratio drugs that are less than 80% protein-bound, minor changes in protein binding...
Hepatic Drug Clearance: Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clearance
Most drugs undergo restrictive clearance, which is proportional to the...
