Hepatitis B Virus Kinetics Under Antiviral Therapy Sheds Light on Differences in Hepatitis B e Antigen Positive and Negative Infections

摘要: Approximately 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in their lifetime [1, 2]. Since only a small percentage of adults develops chronic B, global prevalence this disease is estimated at 350 million [1]. End-stage HBV infection can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), up 1.2 die every year from the consequences [1]. Chronic (CHB) usually characterized by detectable DNA serum, as well presence surface antigen (HBsAg). Hepatitis e (HBeAg) also be present. However, large proportion individuals are HBeAg-negative [3], because they variants that unable produce high amounts excreted protein bears HBe epitope. These mutants rather uncommon North America Northern Europe, but vast majority patients CHB Southern Europe Africa express little or no HBeAg, seems increasing worldwide [3–5]. Infection associated lower serum viral levels [6–8], higher intra-hepatic necroinflammatory lesions more severe progression disease, frequent development and/or HCC [9, 10], than HBeAg-positive strains [6, 11]. Taken together these observations may indicate stronger immune response against infection. Consistent this, even though function not clear, it has suggested serves down modulate [12, 13]. In addition, represent difficult treat patient pool, due off-treatment sustained responses [7, 14, 15]. Modeling different infections treatment given insight into aspects evolution, pathogenesis mechanisms antiviral drug action [16–20]. Such analyses showed short half-life plasma rapid production. We others calculated daily production excess 1011 virions cell lifespan very variable days [21, 22]. A few studies analyzed effect therapy on kinetics [23, 24]. The results suggest clearance faster setting infection. Here we analyze dynamics under variety treatments conduct an exhaustive meta-analysis published concerning dynamics. Our goal was understand respective roles compare them