Evaluation of performance characteristics of hepatitis B e antigen assays

Approximately 240 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) [1], with about 700,000 deaths from complications of HBV infection, including cirrhosis and liver cancer [2]. HBV infection is determined through serological testing for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and additional serology tests alone or in combination can establish acute, chronic and resolved HBV infection. HBV e antigen (HBeAg) is associated with active HBV replication and increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), regardless of levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and stage of liver disease [3 –5].
Source: Journal of Clinical Virology - Category: Virology Authors: Source Type: research