Influence of quantitative changes in HBeAg on the therapeutic efficacy of antiviral drugs

Hepatitis B remains a global epidemic threat to human health of the 350-400 million individuals worldwide infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), one-quarter reside in China. Every year, an estimated one million people die from HBV-related diseases, making the development and institution of effective therapeutic strategies against HBV a global focus. Therapeutic efficacies are generally indicated by reduction or elimination of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), occurrence or enhancement of HBeAg seroconversion, or decreased levels of HBV DNA. While all of these effects are associated with a good prognosis, the elimination of HBeAg and event of HBeAg seroconversion have the strongest correlation with good prognosis.