Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
[A possible mechanism for low-level viremia occurrence in nucleos(t)ide analog-treated chronic hepatitis B patients]
1Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
Abstract:
The first-line nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) based antiviral drugs can effectively inhibit HBV replication and slow down the progression of chronic hepatitis B. However, about 20% of patients receiving standard NAs antiviral therapy will still develop low-level viremia (LLV). Therefore, understanding the occurrence mechanism of LLV will help to optimize antiviral treatment regimens and improve the prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B. This article systematically summarizes the possible mechanisms of LLV occurrence, and the important factor of NAs failure. Taking into account the unique limitations of NAs competitive inhibition of virus replication, weakening host's immune response is not enough to directly eliminate infected hepatocytes. This makes it difficult to achieve a complete virological response in some patients with the active compensatory proliferation of residual infected hepatocytes and the accompanying effective removal or dilution of covalent, closed, circular DNA (cccDNA) pools. Therefore, it is speculated that activating host immunity can eliminate infected liver cells and may be more conducive to address LLV.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Viruses with RNA Genomes
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses

