Table 1.

Main virological and biochemical features in the different clinical phases of chronic hepatitis B in HBsAg+ patients

Phase 1: Immune tolerant	Phase 2: Immune active	Phase 3: Asymptomatic carrier	Phase 4: HBV reactivation
HBeAg+	Attempt to remove HBeAg	HBeAg-	HBeAg+ or -
HBV-DNA ≥ 108 IU/mL	HBV-DNA ↓	HBV-DNA < 2000 IU/mL	HBV-DNA ↑
Normal LFTs→ no damage	Altered LFTs→ damage	Normal LFTs→ no damage	Altered LFTs→ damage

HBV: Hepatitis B virus; LFT: liver function tests