Many studies have shown that hepatitis B virus infection may also occur in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients. This occult infection has been identified both in patients with cryptogenic liver disease and in patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic hepatitis, and much evidence suggests that it may be a risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma development. However, several aspects of this occult infection remain unclear, such as its prevalence and the factor(s) involved in the lack of circulating hepatitis B surface antigen. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the occult hepatitis B virus infection may contribute to chronic liver damage, considering that it is usually associated with a suppressed viral replication. Evidence and hypotheses concerning this fascinating field of bio-medical research are reviewed.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection / G., Raimondo; C., Balsano; A., Craxi; F., Farinati; Levrero, Massimo; M., Mondelli; T., Pollicino; G., Squadrito; C., Tiribelli. - In: DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE. - ISSN 1590-8658. - 32:9(2000), pp. 822-826. [10.1016/s1590-8658(00)80362-x]

Occult hepatitis B virus infection

LEVRERO, Massimo;
2000

Abstract

Many studies have shown that hepatitis B virus infection may also occur in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients. This occult infection has been identified both in patients with cryptogenic liver disease and in patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic hepatitis, and much evidence suggests that it may be a risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma development. However, several aspects of this occult infection remain unclear, such as its prevalence and the factor(s) involved in the lack of circulating hepatitis B surface antigen. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the occult hepatitis B virus infection may contribute to chronic liver damage, considering that it is usually associated with a suppressed viral replication. Evidence and hypotheses concerning this fascinating field of bio-medical research are reviewed.
2000
hbsag-negative; hbv genome; liver disease; liver dna
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Occult hepatitis B virus infection / G., Raimondo; C., Balsano; A., Craxi; F., Farinati; Levrero, Massimo; M., Mondelli; T., Pollicino; G., Squadrito; C., Tiribelli. - In: DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE. - ISSN 1590-8658. - 32:9(2000), pp. 822-826. [10.1016/s1590-8658(00)80362-x]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/438496
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