The infusion of Baccharis spicata (Lam. ) Baill (Asteraceae) has antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus without cytotoxic effects against several cell lines / La infusión de Baccharis spicata (Lam. ) Baill (Asteraceae) posee actividad antiviral contra el virus de la hepatitis B sin efectos citotóxicos contra varias líneas celulares

Medicinal plants are used to cure diseases, and their replacement is frequent and affects public health. The genus Baccharis has representatives within the medicinal flora of Argentina, although the replacement of the species of this genus known under the vulgar name of "carqueja" by Baccharis spicata has been detected i n herbalists or markets of herbal products. The genotoxic safety of this species has been established in previous work of our group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiviral activity of an infusion made from B. spicata leaves against hepatitis B virus with the HepG2.2.15 cellular system and to determine cytotoxicity in HepG2.2,15, A549 and Vero cell lines. Infusion of B. spicata was active to inhibit HBV replication with an EC 50 of 22.54 µg/mL and a CC 50 of 190 µg/mL.

Las plantas medicinales son empleadas para la cura de enfermedades, y su sustituc ión es frecuente y afecta a la salud pública. El género Baccharis posee representantes dentro de la flora medicinal de Argentina, aunque se ha detectado la sustitución de las especies de dicho género conocidas bajo el nombre vulgar de "carqueja" por Baccha ris spicata en herboristerías o mercados de productos herb arios . Se ha establecido la seguridad genotóxica de esta especie en trabajos previos de nuestro grupo. Este estudio buscó evaluar la actividad antiviral de una infusión elaborada a partir de hojas de B. spicata frente al virus de la hepatitis B con el sistema celular HepG2.2.15 y determinar la citotoxicidad en las líneas celulares HepG2.2.15, A549 y Vero. La infusión de B. spicata fue activa para inhibir la replicación del virus con un EC 50 de 22.54 µg/mL y un CC 50 de 190 µg/mL.

Double plasma molecular adsorption system and sequential half-dose plasma exchange improves short-term prognosis of patients with hepatitis B associated acute-on-chronic liver failure / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the effect of double plasma molecular adsorption system and sequential half-dose plasma exchange (DPMAS+HPE) on the short-term survival rate of patients with hepatitis B associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). 【Methods】 Data on HBV-ACLF cases hospitalized in our hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2022 were retrospectively collected, and were divided into standard comprehensive medical treatment group and DPMAS+HPE group according to different treatment methods. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to eliminate inter group confounding bias. The baseline data and improvement of laboratory indicators after treatment between two groups were compared. Death related risk factors in HBV-ACLF patients were screened by logistic regression analysis, and cumulative survival rates at 30 and 90 days between the two groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. 【Results】 A total of 373 cases of HBV-ACLF were included in this study. Among them, 136 cases in the treatment group received DPMAS+HPE once on the basis of comprehensive internal medicine treatment, and 237 cases only received comprehensive internal medicine treatment. After PSM, 136 patients were included as the control group. The decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein (TP) in the treatment group before and after treatment was significantly greater than that in the control group (446.5 vs 159.0, 317.0 vs 92.0,5.2 vs 0.3), with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). DPMAS+HPE treatment is an independent protective factor for mortality in HBV-ACLF patients at 30 and 90 days (30 days: OR=0.497, P<0.05; 90 days: OR= 0.436, P<0.05). The cumulative survival rates at 30 and 90 days in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (30 days: 50.71% vs 44.12%, P<0.05; 90 days: 30.15% vs 22.79%, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 DPMAS+HPE improves the short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients and can serve as an effective artificial liver model for the treatment of HBV-ACLF patients.

Serological and molecular biological characteristics of hepatitis B vaccinated donors with asymptomatic chronical infection in Shenzhen / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate asymptomatic infection of hepatitis B virus(HBV) among hepatitis B vaccinated donors in Shenzhen, and analyze its serological and molecular characteristics. 【Methods】 The HBsAg ELISA positive blood samples of blood donors born after 1992 were collected. HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc were further detected by Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECL). BCP/PC and S regions were amplified by Nested-PCRs, HBV DNA quantification were adopted by qPCR simultaneously, and the sequences were also analyzed. 【Results】 A total of 46 632 blood samples of donors(31 612 males and 15 020 females) from December 2020 to January 2022 collected, and 99 samples with HBsAg ELISA positive were screened out. After tested by ECL, Nested-PCRs, and real-time fluorescence PCR, 61 were confirmed HBsAg positive, with the positive rate at 0.13% (61/46 632), including 49 males (0.16%, 49/31 612) and 12 females (0.08%, 12/15 020). The HBsAg positive rate of males was higher than that of females (P<0.05). 50 out of 61 sequences for S region were obtained. By phylogenetic analysis, there were 46 cases of type B (92%, 46/50, 38 males and 8 females), 4 cases of type C (8%, 4/50, 3 males and 1 female). The high frequency mutations observed in S region were N40S (8/46,17.39%), G44E (7/46,15.22%), Q129H/R(6/46,13.04%), Y161F/S(7/46, 15.22%), V179A(4/46,8.70%), S53L(2/4,50%), C69T(2/4,50%) and I126S/T(2/4,50%), including the immune escape mutations Q129R and T/I126A/N/S/T. 【Conclusion】 Hepatitis B vaccination can significantly reduce the positive rate of HBsAg and increase the safety of blood transfusion. The high frequency immune escape mutations have become a potential risk of blood safety, and need to be further explored.

Characteristics of HBcrAg in HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors in Wuxi area / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To analyze the detection characteristics of a novel serum marker, hepatitis B core-associated antigen (HBcrAg), in the HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors in Wuxi. 【Methods】 A total of 37 previous HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors were followed up by telephone and their serum was obtained, and the serum of 22 HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors was detected by electrochemiluminescence and real-time PCR nucleic acid screening as the OBI group for HBcrAg enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The serum of 20 healthy blood donors who underwent dual ELISA and one nucleic acid testing(NAT) was selected as the healthy control group, and the serum of 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were clinically diagnosed by Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital was selected as the experimental CHB group, and HBcrAg ELISA was detected respectively. The correlation analysis between HBcrAg and HBeAb, HBcAb, ALT and HBV DNA in the OBI group was performed. 【Results】 Thirty-seven blood samples were detected by chemiluminescence for HBsAg and NAT, and 22 HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ samples were detected in the OBI group, with a detection rate of 59.46%. The serum HBcrAg expression content (ng/mL) between the OBI group, the healthy control group and the CHB group were (0.92±0.13), (0.47±0.09) and (1.14±0.23), respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P0.05). 【Conclusion】 The expression of HBcrAg in the OBI group and CHB group was higher than that in the healthy control group, and the serum HBcrAg was not correlated with HBeAb, HBcAb, ALT and HBV DNA to a certain extent. HBcrAg has a good application prospect in screening HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors.

Retest improvement for minipool nucleic acid testing positive samples / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To analyze the correlation between the distribution interval of minipool nucleic acid testing(NAT) positive CT value and the resolution rate, so as to improve the retest model and reduce residual risk of blood transfusion. 【Methods】 The resolution testing results by Cobas S201 system of our blood center from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospective analyzed, and the retest model was developed based on the distribution interval of CT values. For minipool NAT HBV positive samples from March 2022 to March 2023, synchronous detection was conducted by Cobas S201 and Panther detection system, and the detection results were statistically analyzed. 【Results】 From 2017 to 2021, 474 were minipool NAT positive, among which 324 were HBV positive, accounting for 68.35%. From 2017 to 2020, the proportion of HBV positive per year was significantly higher than that of HCV and HIV(P40, with the resolution rate at 95.8%, 56.5% and 14.8% respectively(P40, 36

The prognostic value of serum Dnase1L3, CAR combined with MHR in decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis patients / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of serum deoxyribonuclease 1 like 3 (Dnase1L3), C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) combined with monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) in decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis patients.Methods:A prospective selection was conducted on 236 decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis patients (liver disease group) admitted to the Third Hospital of Qinhuangdao from January 2020 to December 2021, and 185 healthy volunteers (control group) who underwent outpatient physical examinations. The serum levels of Dnase1L3, CAR, MHR, and liver function were detected, and Pearson analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between Dnase1L3, CAR, MHR, and liver function. Tracking the survival status of patients after 30 days of hospitalization, the risk factors affecting 30 day mortality in decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis patients were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression equation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the value of Dnase1L3, CAR, and MHR in predicting 30 day in-hospital mortality in decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis patients.Results:The serum levels of Dnase1L3, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBiL), CAR, and MHR in the liver disease group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The serum levels of Dnase1L3, CAR, and MHR in the liver disease group were positively correlated with AST, ALT, and TBiL (all P<0.05). Among 236 patients, 32 died within 30 days. Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores>18, high Dnase1L3, high CAR, and high MHR were risk factors for 30 day mortality in decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis patients (all P<0.05). The combined prediction of Dnase1L3, CAR, MHR, and MELD scores for 30 day mortality in decompensated patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis showed an area under the curve of 0.904, which was higher than the predicted values of 0.719, 0.678, 0.763, and 0.742 for individual indicators. Conclusions:The serum Dnase1L3 levels, CAR, and MHR are elevated in patients with decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis, and are associated with the degree of liver function damage and mortality within 30 days of hospitalization. They have high value in predicting the prognosis of decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis.

Application of non-invasive inflammation diagnosis model in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis in patients with combined hepatitis B virus infection / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To analyze the application value of non-invasive inflammation diagnosis model in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) combined with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.Methods:A total of 98 patients with NAFLD complicated with HBV infection admitted to some coastal China Coast Guard Hospital of People′s Armed Police from June 2019 to October 2021 were selected. Their liver stiffness (LSM), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APRI), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR), and fibrosis index based on factor 4 (FIB-4) were measured, The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze its clinical diagnostic efficacy for liver fibrosis caused by NAFLD combined with HBV infection.Results:Among 98 patients, there were 7 cases in S0 stage, 47 cases in S1 stage, 21 cases in S2 stage, 14 cases in S3 stage, and 9 cases in S4 stage; Including 35 cases of obvious liver fibrosis and 9 cases of cirrhosis. There was no statistically significant difference in gender and body mass index (BMI) among patients in different stages (all P>0.05). Age: the S0 group<the S1 group<the S2 group<the S3 group<the S4 group ( P<0.05); LSM, APRI, FIB-4: S0 group<S1 group<S2 group<S3 group<S4 group (all P<0.05); The GPR of the S0 and S1 groups was significantly lower than the other groups ( P<0.05), and the S2 group<the S3 group<the S4 group ( P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of LSM in diagnosing obvious liver fibrosis were 71.6% and 83.1%, respectively; The sensitivity and specificity of APRI were 61.4% and 80.9%, respectively; The sensitivity and specificity of GPR were 82.3% and 66.8%, respectively; The sensitivity and specificity of FIB-4 were 66.2% and 69.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of LSM in diagnosing liver cirrhosis were 86.1% and 67.5%, respectively; The sensitivity and specificity of APRI were 77.4% and 75.2%, respectively; The sensitivity and specificity of GPR were 79.6% and 75.3%, respectively; The sensitivity and specificity of FIB-4 were 81.2% and 60.4%, respectively. Conclusions:Patients with NAFLD combined with HBV infection show a significant increase in LSM, APRI, GPR, and FIB-4 as liver fibrosis worsens. These non-invasive inflammatory diagnostic models have certain diagnostic value for liver fibrosis, with LSM and GPR having higher diagnostic efficacy.

Study on Medication Law of Qian Ying for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Based on Data Mining / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze the medication law and academic thoughts of national TCM master Qian Ying in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B through data mining.Methods Totally 168 cases of chronic hepatitis B treated by Professor Qian Ying from Mar.2000 to Dec.2020 were retrospectively collected,and the properties,tastes and tropism meridians,core prescriptions and drug groups of the prescription drugs were analyzed by using the famous doctor inheritance platform.Results Totolly 168 medical cases involved 168 patients and 227 kinds of Chinese materia medica,with a total frequency of 2 158 times.The characteristics of properties,tastes and tropism meridians showed that the main property was cold,and the main taste was bitter,and the main meridian was liver meridian.34 kinds of high-frequency Chinese materia medica(mainly were tonics,heat-clearing medicines,and medicines for activating blood circulation and reducing stasis),28 kinds of core Chinese materia medica,10 pairs of highly co-occurring drugs,and 10 potential drug groups were mined.Conclusion Professor Qian Ying believes that the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B is deficiency in nature and excess in superficiality,and the treatment focuses on tonifying deficiency.It is often treated from the liver and emphasizes the harmonization of liver,spleen and kidney.Tonifying deficiency,clearing heat,promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis are the main treatment methods,followed by dispelling dampness,promoting qi,eliminating phlegm,opening stagnation and relieving the exterior,etc.He pays attention to the harmonization of body and use,is good at using multiple methods.

Visual transient elastography combined with liver steatosis analysis for assessing liver function injury after ablation / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of a novel technique called visual transient elastography (ViTE) and liver steatosis analysis (LiSA) in assessing liver function injury in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-related HCC) patients after ablation therapy.Methods:A total of 129 HBV-related HCC patients in Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital from January 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.ViTE and LiSA examinations were applied to record the liver stiffness E value and LiSA value before ablation. An albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score was constructed using laboratory indicators. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between E value, LiSA value and ALBI score, body mass index (BMI). According to the change of ALBI grade in perioperative period, the patients could be divided into two groups: liver function unchanged group and liver function injury group. Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze related factors affecting changes in liver function after ablation, followed by establishing a predictive model.Results:Spearman analysis showed a strong positive correlation between E value and ALBI score ( rs=0.686, P<0.001), and LiSA value was weakly positively correlated with BMI ( rs=0.338, P<0.001). There were no significant correlations between E value and BMI, LiSA value and ALBI score (all P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that differences of age, BMI, ablation parameters, E value, and LiSA value in the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that E value, LiSA value, and ablation time were independent predictors of hepatic dysfunction after ablation (all P<0.05). AUC was 0.892 indicating high accuracy in the predictive model based on above indicators. Conclusions:Under the real-time ultrasound guidance, a non-invasive liver function injury prediction model based on ViTE and LiSA technology can offer personalized predictions for ablative perioperative changes in liver function among HBV-related HCC patients.

Development and validation of a postoperative infection nomogram for hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatectomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To develop and validate a postoperative infection nomogram of hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy.Methods:Clinical data of 229 patients with HCC undergoing hepatectomy at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Tianjin Third Central Hospital from January 2014 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 174 males and 55 females, aged (58.2±11.4) years. LASSO regression analysis screened the factors associated with hepatitis B-associated HCC infection after hepatectomy, which were further incorporated into multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomographic prediction model was established based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Concordance index (C-index), calibration curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the model, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to analyze the clinical applicability of the model. Internal validation of the model was performed using bootstrap method.Results:A total of nine variables were screened as factors associated with the postoperative infections using LASSO regression, including gender, smoking history, body mass index (BMI), serum level of alpha fetoprotein, resection fashion (anatomical or non-anatomical), intraoperative blood loss, surgical method (laparoscopy or open), serum level of creatinine, and postoperative biliary fistula. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, resection fashion, intraoperative blood loss >500 ml, and postoperative biliary fistula were risk factors for postoperative infection (all P<0.05). Based on the above risk factors, a postoperative infection nomogram of hepatitis B-associated HCC after hepatectomy was established. The C-index was 0.839 (95% CI: 0.768-0.910), and the area under ROC curve was 0.853 (95% CI: 0.795-0.912), indicating that the model had a good predictive ability. The calibration curve was basically consistent with the ideal curve. The DCA showed that the model had a good clinical applicability. Internal validation C-index was 0.829 (95% CI: 0.766-0.892). Conclusion:The nomogram based on BMI, surgical resection fashion, intraoperative blood loss >500 ml, and postoperative biliary fistula has a high predictive accuracy and can be used to predict postoperative infections after hepatectomy for HCC.

Analysis of advanced fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), as well as associations with advanced fibrosis.Methods:CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy at Tianjin Second People′s Hospital from June 2016 to September 2019 were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had concomitant MAFLD; a CHB group and a MAFLD-CHB group. t-tests and Chi-square tests were used to compare pathological characteristics and basic features in the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with advanced fibrosis. Results:The CHB group included 110 patients, and the MAFLD-CHB group included 272 patients. There were significant differences in smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension incidence, body metabolic index, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, fasting plasma glucose, and platelets (PLT) between the two groups (all P<0.05). The MAFLD-CHB group had a higher incidence of advanced fibrosis than the CHB group ( P<0.05). In logistic regression analysis MAFLD [odds ratio ( OR)=2.204, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.018-4.774, P=0.045], GGT ( OR=1.008, 95% CI 1.002-1.013, P=0.005), and PLT ( OR=0.995, 95% CI 0.991-0.999, P=0.019) were associated with advanced fibrosis (all P<0.05). In the MAFLD-CHB group type 2 diabetes ( OR=3.281, 95% CI 1.375-7.832, P=0.007), GGT ( OR=1.011, 95% CI 1.003-1.018, P=0.005), and PLT ( OR=0.993, 95% CI 0.988-0.998, P=0.004) were associated with advanced fibrosis ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with MAFLD-CHB are more likely to develop advanced fibrosis than patients with CHB alone. In the MAFLD-CHB group type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with advanced fibrosis. It is important to strictly control relevant risk factors in MAFLD-CHB patients, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Progress towards elimination of hepatitis B / 临床肝胆病杂志

This paper summarizes the latest progress in the elimination of hepatitis B worldwide and in China. Although the global burden of hepatitis B is decreasing， there is a large difference in the progress towards elimination across different countries， and among the 20 countries with the heaviest disease burden， Bangladesh， India， Indonesia， Japan， and Russia have achieved substantial progress. China continues to maintain a high HBV vaccination coverage for neonates， with an inoculation rate of 95.6% for timely birth dose and 99.6% for 3 doses. From 2016 to 2022， the diagnosis rate of patients with chronic hepatitis B in China have increased from 19% to 24%， and treatment rate have increased from 11% to 15%； however， there is still a big gap compared with the WHO targets by 2030. Further efforts are needed to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 globally and in China.

Focus on the timing and strategies of antiviral therapy for special populations with chronic hepatitis B / 临床肝胆病杂志

Several factors need to be considered for special populations with chronic hepatitis B （CHB）， such as the family history of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer， age， disease stage， and antiviral response. It is necessary to select the appropriate timing of antiviral therapy and timely adjust antiviral strategies for CHB populations， which plays an important role in delaying disease progression and reducing the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This article elaborates on the timing and strategies for antiviral therapy in the special populations such as patients with chronic HBV infection who have an age of ≤30 years and a normal alanine aminotransferase （ALT） level， pregnant women with chronic HBV infection who have an age of >30 years and a normal ALT level， children with chronic HBV infection， and treatment-experienced HBeAg-positive CHB patients with low-level viremia， so as to help clinicians choose a better timing of antiviral therapy and optimize the strategies of antiviral therapy for special CHB populations.

Timing of antiviral therapy for pregnant women with HBV infection and normal alanine aminotransferase level aged >30 years / 临床肝胆病杂志

Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B （2022 edition） expanded the indications for antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The guidelines recommend to initiate antiviral therapy for patients with chronic HBV infection who have a normal alanine aminotransferase （ALT） level， positive HBV DNA， and an age of >30 years. However， for pregnant women aged >30 years， no consensus has been reached on whether to start antiviral therapy immediately. Some experts believe that pregnant women with a normal ALT level are mostly in the immune-tolerant phase， and antiviral therapy tends to have an unsatisfactory therapeutic effect； in addition， medication during pregnancy may affect the safety of mothers and fetuses. Therefore， it is not recommended to start antiviral therapy immediately in early pregnancy even if the pregnant women are aged >30 years. Other experts believe that immune changes of the body during pregnancy may be a special period for HBV immune clearance， and if the patients are aged >30 years， antiviral therapy should be initiated immediately even if the patient has a normal ALT level； pregnant women may get better virologic and even serological response. With a focus on the above issues， this article elaborates on the purpose， treatment timing， and drug withdrawal timing of antiviral therapy during pregnancy.

Hepatitis B virus infection in children： Antiviral therapy for children with a normal alanine aminotransferase level / 临床肝胆病杂志

Chronic hepatitis B （CHB） is a major public health issue around the world， and there are currently about 2 million children with hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection in China. HBV infection in children tends to become chronic， leading to high risks of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in adulthood. Traditionally， it is believed that children with HBV infection are mainly in the immune-tolerant phase and do not require antiviral therapy， and antiviral therapy is only initiated for CHB children who are in the immune-active phase or suffer from compensated or decompensated liver cirrhosis. More and more clinical studies on CHB in children have shown that CHB children tend to have a high response rate to antiviral therapy， especially interferon-based regimens， and young children are at the advantage of clinical cure； however， there are still controversies over whether antiviral therapy should be initiated for children with HBV infection who have a normal alanine aminotransferase （ALT） level and are in the immune-tolerant phase. This article reviews the features of children with HBV infection and the necessity of antiviral therapy for children with a normal ALT level， with a special focus on treatment timing.

Clinical controversies over antiviral therapy for patients in the immune-tolerant phase of hepatitis B virus infection / 临床肝胆病杂志

To achieve the goal of “eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health hazard by 2030”， extensive screening， active prevention， and antiviral therapy are currently recommended for chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection； however， no consensus has been reached on whether to initiate antiviral therapy for patients in the immune-tolerant phase of chronic HBV infection. Some experts believe that patients in the immune-tolerant phase tend to have a stable liver immune microenvironment， with a low risk of disease progression and poor response to treatment， and thus it is not recommended to initiate antiviral therapy. However， various other studies have shown that patients in the immune-tolerant phase still have inflammatory damage in the liver， with a risk of disease progression and a high level of cost effectiveness， and therefore， some experts suggest that antiviral therapy should be actively initiated for patients in the immune-tolerant phase. This article performs a literature review of the definition of patients in the immune-tolerant phase of chronic HBV infection and the advantages and disadvantages of antiviral therapy and conducts a preliminary analysis based on previous studies， in order to accumulate the evidence for whether to initiate antiviral therapy in the immune-tolerant phase of chronic HBV infection and lay a foundation for standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients in the immune-tolerant phase.

Low-level viremia in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with first-line treatment with nucleos（t）ide analogues and its treatment strategies / 临床肝胆病杂志

Highly effective oral antiviral therapy with low drug resistance can strongly inhibit HBV replication； however， some patients may still have low-level viremia （LLV） after receiving entecavir， tenofovir disoproxil fumarate， tenofovir alafenamide， or tenofovir amibufenamide for 48 weeks or more. Multiple studies in China and globally show that LLV after antiviral therapy is closely associated with the progression of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis， the risk of decompensated liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma， and the reduction in long-term survival rate. Therefore， this article reviews the development， risk factors， and clinical harm of LLV after first-line treatment with nucleos（t）ide analogues， as well as different treatment regimens， in order to provide a reference for the treatment of LLV in chronic hepatitis B patients in the future.

Expert consensus on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B / 临床肝胆病杂志

Chronic hepatitis B （CHB） is still a major public health issue in China， and without effective control， it can further progress to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer， bringing huge social and economic burdens. At present， antiviral therapy is the main treatment method for CHB， and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy is the characteristic treatment method for CHB in China and can improve clinical efficacy by complementing each other’s advantages. In order to promote the concept integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine collaborative diagnosis and treatment， facilitate the development of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment techniques for CHB， and establish standardized disease diagnosis and treatment regimens， Expert Committee on Hepatology in Doctor Society of Integrative Medicine， Chinese Medical Doctor Association， established a consensus expert group to discuss and formulate Expert consensus on integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B， which elaborated on the concept of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine collaborative diagnosis and treatment from the four aspects of CHB epidemiology， pathogenesis and etiology， integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine diagnosis and syndrome differentiation， and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy and proposed related recommendations， in order to improve the prognosis and quality of life of CHB patients.

Key recommendations in guidelines for the prevention， diagnosis， care and treatment for people with chronic hepatitis B infection released by the World Health Organization in 2024 / 临床肝胆病杂志

In March 2024， the World Health Organization released the latest version of guidelines for the prevention， diagnosis， care and treatment for people with chronic hepatitis B infection. The guidelines were updated in several aspects， including expanding and simplifying the indications for chronic hepatitis B treatment， adding alternative antiviral treatment regimens， broadening the indications for antiviral therapy to prevent mother-to-child transmission， improving the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus， and adding hepatitis D virus （HDV） testing. This article summarizes and gives an excerpt of the recommendations in the guidelines.

Value of magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction in evaluating the degree and distribution characteristics of hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction （MRI-PDFF） in evaluating hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection. MethodsThe patients， aged >16 years， who visited the outpatient service or were hospitalized in Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 and were diagnosed with chronic HBV infection were enrolled， and all patients underwent MRI examination of the liver in our hospital. The patients were divided into groups based on the presence or absence of liver cirrhosis， and the consistency in PDFF between different hepatic segments was compared between groups. The Kappa consistency test and intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC） were used for consistency analysis. ResultsA total of 76 patients treated with nucleoside analogues were enrolled， among whom 23 （30.26%） had liver cirrhosis. For all patients， the simple arithmetic average of PDFF fluctuated between 1.49% and 30.93%. According to MRI-PDFF ≥5% as the diagnostic criterion for fatty liver disease， there were 29 patients （38.16%） with fatty liver disease among all patients. For all 76 patients， the simple arithmetic average of PDFF was lower than the weighted average of PDFF for the whole liver， and there was no significant difference between the simple arithmetic average of PDFF， the weighted average of PDFF， and the PDFF values of the left and right lobes of the liver （F=0.39， P=0.76）. The consistency test showed that the PDFF values of each hepatic segment and the left and right lobes of the liver had strong consistency with the weighted average and simple arithmetic average of PDFF， with an ICC of >0.75， but the consistency between the PDFF value of the right lobe and the weighted average of PDFF was higher than that between the PDFF value of the left lobe and the weighted average of PDFF. In the consistency test of differentiating fatty liver disease in patients with liver cirrhosis， there was poor consistency between the PDFF value of segment Ⅶ and the weighted average of PDFF （Kappa=0.39）， with moderate consistency for the left lobe and the Ⅰ， Ⅱ， Ⅲ， Ⅴ， Ⅵ， and Ⅷ segments. For the patients with liver cirrhosis， the lowest consistency was observed between the PDFF value of Ⅶ segment and the weighted average of PDFF for the whole liver， and the highest consistency was observed between the PDFF value of Ⅵ segment and the weighted average of PDFF for the whole liver. For the patients without liver cirrhosis， the lowest consistency was observed between the PDFF value of Ⅱ segment and the weighted average of PDFF for the whole liver， and the highest consistency was observed between the PDFF value of Ⅴ segment and the weighted average of PDFF for the whole liver. ConclusionMRI-PDFF is more comprehensive in evaluating hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic HBV infection， and for the patients with liver cirrhosis， there is poor consistency between the PDFF value of each segment and the weighted average of PDFF.