title: [HBsAg quantification: virological significance].
abstract: HBsAg is a classic marker of hepatitis B virus infection. Since the levels of serum HBsAg are correlated to those of intrahepatic cccDNA, HBsAg quantification indirectly reflects the number of infected hepatocytes. The kinetics of serum HBsAg decline seems to be a predictive marker for sustained virological response, and clearance of HBsAg. This new tool may be clinically relevant for the monitoring and optimization of hepatitis B treatments. To fulfill this objective, prospective studies are still warranted for the the spread of sensitive and standardized techniques standardization of the quantification assays and to define cut off values with clinical predictive values.
authors.affiliation: Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôtel Dieu, Service d'hépatologie et de gastroentérologie, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ben Slama
authors.forename: S N Si
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zoulim
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens