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Virological and serological tools to optimize the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B
Author(s) -
MartinotPeignoux Michelle,
Marcellin Patrick
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12998
Subject(s) - serology , medicine , chronic hepatitis , virology , immunology , intensive care medicine , antibody , virus
Molecular biology techniques are routinely used to diagnose and monitor treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ). These tools can detect and quantify viral genomes and analyse their sequences to determine genotype. The increasing use of these tools to monitor patients has greatly improved the management of CHB infection by maximizing the potential for individualized treatment. HBV genotyping has become increasingly important and provides additional information to predict a response to therapy. More sensitive methods to determine HBV DNA levels are now available and the units of measurements have been standardized. HB sAg levels in serum have been shown to reflect active intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (ccc DNA ) and to have additional value in treatment decisions, especially as an on‐treatment marker.