Factors Associated with Persistence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Hepatitis B virus infection is a global health problem that is endemic in many parts of the world. It is one of the most common causes of liver-related sequelae, including cirrhosis, fulminant liver failure, liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. 90-95% of the infected adults can clear the virus with only 5-10% becoming chronic carriers. Among the carriers 20-30% develops liver cirrhosis and about 5% develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Persistent or chronic HBV infection is among the most common persistent viral infections in humans [1].