Occult hepatitis B virus infection.
Many studies have shown that hepatitis B virus infection may also occur in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients. This occult infection has been identified both in patients with cryptogenic liver disease and in patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic hepatitis, and much evidence suggests that it may be a risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma development. However several aspects of this occult infection remain unclear such as its prevalence and the factor(s) involved in the lack of circulating hepatitis B surface antigen. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the occult hepatitis B virus infection may contribute to chronic liver damage, considering that it is usually associated with a suppressed viral replication. Evidence and hypotheses concerning this fascinating field of bio-medical research are reviewed.
Raimondo
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Italy. raimondo@unime.it
Balsano
C
C
Craxì
A
A
Farinati
F
F
Levrero
M
M
Mondelli
M
M
Pollicino
T
T
Squadrito
G
G
Tiribelli
C
C
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens