Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Current laboratory tests for diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Diagnosing Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection relies on serologic and molecular methods. New biomarkers like HBcrAg and HBV RNA show promise for monitoring infection and guiding treatment, but require validation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a chronic health risk, potentially leading to cancer.
- While vaccination has reduced HBV incidence, it remains a significant global health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current diagnostic methods for HBV infection.
- To explore future perspectives in HBV diagnosis and management.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of existing laboratory diagnostic techniques for HBV.
- Analysis of current clinical practices in HBV diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Established serologic and molecular assays are used for diagnosing acute and chronic HBV.
- Intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNAs (cccDNAs) limit the cure of chronic HBV infection.
- Emerging biomarkers, including hepatitis B virus core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and HBV RNA, correlate with cccDNA activity but need clinical validation.
Conclusions:
- Effective HBV diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response are crucial for disease management.
- Development of ultrasensitive immunologic assays may enhance HBV management alongside immunotherapy.
Background:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a long history in human infectious diseases. HBV infection can progress chronically, leading to cancer. After introduction of a vaccine, the overall incidence rate of HBV infection has decreased, although it remains a health problem in many countries.
Purpose:
The aim of this review was to summarise current diagnostic efforts for HBV infection and future HBV diagnosis perspectives.
Methods:
We reviewed and summarised current laboratory diagnosis related with HBV infection in clinical practice.
Results:
There have been various serologic- and molecular-based methods to diagnose acute or chronic HBV infection. Since intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNAs (cccDNAs) function as robust HBV replication templates, cure of chronic HBV infection is limited. Recently, new biomarkers such as hepatitis B virus core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and HBV RNA have emerged that appear to reflect intrahepatic cccDNA status. These new biomarkers should be validated before clinical usage.
Conclusion:
An effective diagnostic approach and current updated knowledge of treatment response monitoring are important for HBV infection management. Brand new ultrasensitive and accurate immunologic methods may pave the way to manage HBV infection in parallel with immunotherapy era.
More Related Videos
11:34A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
10:25"Liver-on-a-Chip" Cultures of Primary Hepatocytes and Kupffer Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Published on: February 19, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test