title: [Quantification of hepatitis B virus HBsAg: clinical implications].
abstract: The surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) is the main serological marker of HBV infection since its discovery almost 50 years ago. Currently the quantification of HBsAg has acquired special relevance as there are commercial tests to measure its levels. Several studies have shown that in patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa the fall of HBsAg levels predicts the loss of HBsAg and persistent virologic response. The role of the quantification of HBsAg in the treatment with nucleoside analogues is still not well understood and requires further studies.
authors: Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. Mbuti@vhebron.net
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Buti
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Rodríguez Frías
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Esteban
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a