Pathogenic role of hepatitis B virus in hepatitis B surface antigen—negative decompensated cirrhosis
Hau‐Tim Chung, Ching‐Lung Lai, Anna S. F. Lok – 1 July 1995 – This study was conducted to determine the rate of detection of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative decompensated cirrhotic patients who had hepatitis B core and/or surface antibodies (anti‐HBc and/or anti‐HBs), and to compare the outcome of HBsAg‐positive cirrhotic patients who did or did not clear HBsAg during follow‐up. Six (5%) of 121 HBsAg‐positive cirrhotic patients lost HBsAg after 0.2 to 17.1 years (mean, 9.1 ± 6.2 yr) of follow‐up.