«ROAD MAP» OF BIOMARKERS IN THE NATURAL HISTORY OF HBV INFECTION
Abstract
Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes both acute and chronic infection that can be asymptomatic or mild, occur as severe or fulminant hepatitis. Testing for HBV markers and establishing a diagnosis of hepatitis B are a key component affecting the epidemic process and allowing people with CHB to receive effective care to prevent or slow down progressive liver damage. Objective. To present a diagnostic «road map» of HBV biomarkers for doctors of various specialties involved in the diagnosis, treatment, screening and prevention of HBV infection. Material and methods. An electronic search was carried out on PubMed, UpToDate, Scopus, Web of Science, elibrary, CDC, ECDC, WHO/WHO using key words. In accordance with the specified search criteria and the purpose of the study; the titles, abstracts and full texts of scientific articles were studied, that is fully reflected in the list of references. Results. There have been provided a description of CHB natural history, its well-known diagnostic markers and new serological opportunities for medical monitoring, such as nuclear antigen (HBcrAg), pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) as well as quantitative determination of antibodies - qAnti-HBc. The diagnostic and prognostic effectiveness of “classical” and “new” biomarkers when used together opens up new opportunities for solving epidemiological or clinical problems. Conclusions. The unavailability of new tests in the form of commercial diagnostic kits complicates the use of some of them, at least that of HBcrAg, pgRNA, qAnti-HBc, which are on the “waiting list” for implementation.
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