Table 2.

Factors associated with a higher spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion rate

Advancing age:

<5 years, 0.8% per year

5–15 years, 3% per year

>15 years, 8–15% per year

Age of infection (older > younger)

Mode of transmission (horizontal > vertical)

Serum ALT level (higher > lower)

Serum AFP level (higher > lower)

Immune status (competence > suppression)

Ethnicity (Non-Asian > Asian)

HLA haplotype (HLA-B61 and -DQB1*0503 > others)

Genotype (B > C; D > A)

Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AFP, α-fetoprotein.