HBsAg Quantification to Predict Natural History and Treatment Outcome in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

There is a growing interest in serum HBsAg quantification (qHbsAg). HBsAg titers are negatively correlated with liver fibrosis in HBeAg(+) patients. In HBeAg(-) HBsAg level <1000 IU/mL and HBV-DNA titer <2000 IU/mL accurately identify inactive carriers. During PEG-IFN treatment qHBsAg identifies patients with no benefit from therapy at week 12, allowing stopping or switched week 12 stopping rule. During nucleos(t)ide analogues the role of qHBsAg need to be clarified. In clinical practice qHBsAg is a simple and reproducible tool that may be used in association with HBV-DNA to classify patients during the natural history of HBV and to monitor therapy.