Table 1.
Main characteristics of HBV infection virological categories, a simplified summary.
| 2017 Nomenclature | Quantitative Serum HBsAg (IU/mL) | Serum HBeAg | Serum HBVDNA (IU/mL) | Serum Transaminases | Liver Histology | Previous Nomenclature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Chronic Infection | ≥1000 | Positive | >2000 | Normal | Normal/minimal | Immune tolerant |
| Phase 2 | Chronic Hepatitis | ≥1000 | Positive | >2000 | Elevated | Chronic damage | Active Carrier (AC) |
| Phase 3 | Chronic Infection * | <1000 | Negative | ≤2000/negative | Normal | Normal/*** | Inactive carrier (IC) * |
| Phase 4 | Chronic Hepatitis | >1000 | Negative | >2000 | Elevated/Fluctuating ** | Chronic damage | Active Carrier (AC) |
| Phase 5 | HBsAg-negative phase **** | Negative | Negative | <200/negative | Normal | Normal *** | Resolved acute infection/Potential occult carrier (pOBI) **** |
*: In some patients HBVDNA may fluctuate between 2000 and 20,000 IU/mL and be accompanied by persistently normal ALT and only minimal hepatic necroinflammatory activity and low fibrosis. At a low risk of progression to cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma if remain in this phase. Progression to chronic hepatitis may occur. **: Can intermittently be elevated; ***: If no other cause of liver diesase coexist; ****: Individuals characterized by negative serum HBsAg and positive serum hepatitis B core antigen antibodies (anti-HBc), with or without detectable serum antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Also harboring viral DNA integrated in the hepatocytes and as covalently closed circular-DNA.