Table 2.

Phases of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Phase	HBeAg	Hepatitis B virus DNA	ALT	Liver Biopsy	Treatment Candidacy Based on Currently Approved Medications
Immune tolerant	Positive	Very high, >200000 IU/mL	Normal	No/mild inflammation/fibrosis	Not currently considered candidates
Immune active	Positive or negative	Usually >20000, >2000 IU/mL	Elevated	Inflammation and fibrosis; degree varies	Treatment candidates
Inactive	Negative	<2000 IU/mL	Normal	Normal or mild	Not currently considered candidates
Hepatitis B surface antigen clearance	Negative	Usually not detected/or <1000 IU/mL	Normal	No inflammation/improving fibrosis	Not currently indicated

Abbreviation: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; HBeAg, Hepatitis B e antigen.