Review
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2009; 15(25): 3099-3105
Published online Jul 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3099
Table 1 Characteristics of chronic hepatitis B at different stages
PhaseALTHBsAgHBeAgHBeAbHBV DNA (IU/mL)Th cell biasedLiver histology
Immune toleranceUsually normalPresentPresentAbsent≥ 20 000Th2 cellNormal or mild inflammation
Immune clearanceElevatedPresentPresentAbsent≥ 20 000Th2/Th1 cellActive inflammation
Inactive HBsAg carrierUsually normal; can have flaresPresentAbsentPresent> 20 000Th1 cellMild inflammation or inactive cirrhosis
HBeAg- CHBPerioid flaresPresentAbsentPresent> 20 000Th1 cellActive inflammation
< 20 000
Occult hepatitis BRarely elevatedAbsentAbsentPresent when HBV recovered< 20 000Th1 cellFrom normal to cirrhosis HCC