Diagnostic Problems of Occult HBV Infection

Abstract

In this report we present current data on prevalence, clinical significance and methods of diagnostics of occult hepatitis B (OHB). Mechanisms of occult hepatitis B formation are reviewed, among which the most important is co-infection with other hepatotropic viruses. Diagnostic significance of anti-HBcAg antibodies is shown. An algorithm of occult hepatitis B detection developed by the authors involves two stages: detection of viral markers in serum and liver tissue. Attention is drawn to the role of morphologic methods including histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in verification of HBV infection and direct visualization of virions in cytoplasm of hepatocytes.