Expert Opinion
Clinical significance and management strategies of low-level viremia during the treatment of chronic hepatitis B
Han Ning, Yan Libo, Tang Hong
Published 2021-12-20
Cite as Chin J Hepatol, 2021, 29(12): 1139-1143. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501113-20211122-00567
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B and its related complications seriously endanger the lives and health of our country people. Although the first-line nucleos(t)ide analogs such as entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate can inhibit virus replication to a certain extent, delay or prevent disease progression, and reduce the incidence of hepatitis B-related liver cancer, but in clinical practice, HBV DNA positivity is still detected continuously or intermittently in the serum of some patients. Therefore, low-level viremia has received widespread attention and triggered discussion, and has become the difficulties and hotspot of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B. This article summarizes and discusses the definition and incidence in line with the main guidelines and studies, impact of disease control and clinical prognosis, and the current treatment options in order to provide definite reference for the management of low-level viremia during antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Key words:
Chronic hepatitis B; Low-level viremia; Nucleos(t)ide analogs; Antiviral therapy
Contributor Information
Han Ning
Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
Yan Libo
Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
Tang Hong
Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China