THE FREQUENCY OF DETECTION OF ACTIVE CHRONIC HEPATITIS B AMONG HBsAg CARRIERS

Abstract

Currently, there are 350 million people worldwide with chronic HBV infection, who are, by definition, individuals who have had HBsAg detected in their blood serum for more than 6 months [1].  HBV carriers represent a high risk group for the development of liver cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma [2]. Despite the fact that most patients with HBV infection do not experience complications typical of chronic hepatitis B, however, 15-40% of them develop severe liver dysfunction at certain periods of their lives [3].