How is the effectiveness of therapy monitored in chronic Hepatitis B infection?

The effectiveness of therapy in chronic Hepatitis B infection is best monitored by HBV DNA testing using real-time PCR. This method measures the amount of viral DNA in the blood, which is crucial for determining the viral load and assessing how well the antiviral treatment is working. A decrease in HBV DNA levels indicates that the therapy is effective in suppressing viral replication, reducing the risk of liver damage and progression of the disease.

Monitoring HBV DNA allows for timely adjustments to treatment protocols if necessary and gives a clear picture of the virologic response to therapy. In contrast, HBsAg testing indicates the presence of the virus but does not provide quantifiable information about viral load. Liver function tests mainly assess the liver's health and function but do not specifically measure the effectiveness of antiviral therapy. Anti-HBc IgG testing detects antibodies against the hepatitis B core antigen, which provides historical information about infection but is not useful for monitoring ongoing therapy efficacy. Therefore, HBV DNA testing offers the most direct evaluation of the response to treatment in chronic Hepatitis B infection.