Occult Hepatitis B as a Cause of Cryptogenic Cirrhosis

ABSTRACT

Background: occult hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is characterized by presence of HBV infection with undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]. Diagnosis of occult HBV infection requires sensitive HBV-DNA PCR assay. Recently it has been shown that occult hepatitis B may be a cause of cryptogenic liver disease. The aim of this study is the investigation of occult HBV infection among patients with cryptogenic liver disease