title: Clinical significance of occult hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver (with or without detectable HBV DNA in serum) for individuals testing HBV surface antigen negative. Until recently, the clinical effect of OBI was unclear on the progression of liver disease; on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma; and on the risk for reactivation or transmission of HBV infection. Several studies suggest a high prevalence of OBI among patients with cryptogenic chronic liver disease, but its role in the progression to cirrhosis remains unclear. Although OBI has been well documented in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, especially among those coinfected with hepatitis C virus, further studies are needed to determine its current clinical impact in HIV setting.
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Unit, Hospital Carlos III, CIBERehd, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madejón
authors.forename: Conrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Samaniego
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014775:Virus Activation; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies