CccDNA persistence during natural evolution of chronic VHB infection.

Abstract

HBV infection remains a public health issue. CccDNA-HBV is a unique, intermediate replicative episome, responsible for persistence of infection in hepatocytes. The clearance of cccDNA may be explained by cellular death. CccDNA detection in chronic infected human livers may represent an important marker in monitoring antiviral therapy. Short term therapy is followed by viral rebound in the majority of chronic HBV hepatitis patients. Based on mathematical models, it is considered that the period needed to achieve a complete intrahepatic cccDNA clearance is 14.5 years.