The Role of New Viral Biomarkers in Chronic Hepatitis B: Ready to Use in the Clinical Practice?

Abstract

Recent advances have been made to develop and improve the serologic and molecular virologic tools for the diagnosis and optimal management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Several biomarkers associated with the natural course of chronic hepatitis B infection virus (HBV) and the efficacy of antiviral treatment have been defined. This article reviews the impact of hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core-related antigen and HBV RNA on the natural history, treatment response and outcomes of CHB infection.