title: CccDNA persistence during natural evolution of chronic VHB infection.
abstract: HBV infection remains a public health issue. CccDNA-HBV is a unique, intermediate replicative episome, responsible for persistence of infection in hepatocytes. The clearance of cccDNA may be explained by cellular death. CccDNA detection in chronic infected human livers may represent an important marker in monitoring antiviral therapy. Short term therapy is followed by viral rebound in the majority of chronic HBV hepatitis patients. Based on mathematical models, it is considered that the period needed to achieve a complete intrahepatic cccDNA clearance is 14.5 years.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Clinic Prof.dr.Matei Balş, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania. drcaruntu@mateibals.ro
authors.forename: Florin Alexandru
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Caruntu
authors.forename: Violeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Molagic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004270:DNA, Circular / Q000235:genetics*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000502:physiology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004270:DNA, Circular; D004279:DNA, Viral