Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Hepatitis B
Wen-Juei Jeng1, George V Papatheodoridis2, Anna S F Lok3
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects millions globally. While current treatments manage the virus, new therapies aim for a functional cure, crucial for the WHO
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health concern, causing millions of infections and deaths annually.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on serological markers like HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc, with HBV DNA assessing replication and liver disease activity.
- Despite effective vaccines and current therapies preventing severe outcomes, they rarely achieve viral eradication or HBsAg clearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of Hepatitis B diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.
- To highlight the limitations of existing therapies and the need for novel approaches.
- To discuss the progress and future directions towards achieving the WHO goal of HBV elimination.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic methods including serological testing and HBV DNA quantification.
- Analysis of current treatment options such as pegylated interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogues.
- Exploration of emerging antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies in clinical development.
Main Results:
- Current diagnostic and treatment strategies can manage HBV infection and prevent complications but do not offer a cure.
- New vaccines with improved immunogenicity are available for adults, and universal infant vaccination remains key for prevention.
- Promising new therapies are under development with the aim of achieving functional cure (HBsAg clearance).
Conclusions:
- Achieving the World Health Organization's 2030 goal for HBV elimination requires enhanced vaccination, screening, and linkage to care.
- Development of curative therapies is essential for viral eradication and functional cure.
- Addressing stigma associated with HBV infection is also critical for effective public health interventions.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem, with an estimated 296 million people chronically infected and 820 000 deaths worldwide in 2019. Diagnosis of HBV infection requires serological testing for HBsAg and for acute infection additional testing for IgM hepatitis B core antibody (IgM anti-HBc, for the window period when neither HBsAg nor anti-HBs is detected). Assessment of HBV replication status to guide treatment decisions involves testing for HBV DNA, whereas assessment of liver disease activity and staging is mainly based on aminotransferases, platelet count, and elastography. Universal infant immunisation, including birth dose vaccination is the most effective means to prevent chronic HBV infection. Two vaccines with improved immunogenicity have recently been approved for adults in the USA and EU, with availability expected to expand. Current therapies, pegylated interferon, and nucleos(t)ide analogues can prevent development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but do not eradicate the virus and rarely clear HBsAg. Treatment is recommended for patients with cirrhosis or with high HBV DNA levels and active or advanced liver disease. New antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies aiming to achieve functional cure (ie, clearance of HBsAg) are in clinical development. Improved vaccination coverage, increased screening, diagnosis and linkage to care, development of curative therapies, and removal of stigma are important in achieving WHO's goal of eliminating HBV infection by 2030.
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
11:14Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
01:49Probability Laws
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
01:19Rh Blood Group