Selection of Hepatitis B Virus in People Experiencing Hepatitis Flare

Abstract

Hepatitis B flare, or acute hepatitis exacerbation, is defined by a sudden rise in liver alanine transaminase levels and can manifest a wide range of symptoms, from nearly asymptomatic to severe inflammation, which may ultimately result in either seroclearance or critical liver damage. Spontaneous flares during chronic HBV infection are acknowledged as a common occurrence; however, the details on the mechanisms that trigger these events remain elusive. Recent research indicates that strong host immune responses, particularly those mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, against the increasing hepatitis B virus are the principal factors responsible for hepatitis flares. The swift escalation in HBV replication, coupled with significant selection pressure exerted by the immune system during a flare episode, suggests a possible role of viral genomic variation in the immunopathogenesis of the virus. By examining HBV genomic structures, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic interaction between the host and the virus.