Hepatitis B Immunology for Clinicians

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotrophic DNA virus that causes acute and chronic hepatitis. Despite an effective vaccine, more than 350 million people are chronically infected with HBV worldwide and are at risk for progressive liver disease. There are marked geographic variations in HBV prevalence (ranging from 0.1% to 2% in low prevalence areas and 10% to 20% in high prevalence areas) related to the timing and mode of HBV exposure. In many developed countries, HBV exposure typically occurs in adults via sexual transmission with a low chronicity rate (5%). In regions with high HBV prevalence (eg, Asia, sub-Saharan Africa), HBV exposure tends to occur in the perinatal period (eg, vertical transmission from mother to infant) with a high rate of persistence in the absence of timely vaccination. The course of viral infection is defined by the interplay between the virus and host immune defense. This article introduces the innate and adaptive immune defense mechanisms in general and as related to HBV. In particular, the current concepts regarding the innate and adaptive immune components contributing to the clinical, virologic and therapeutic outcome in acute and chronic hepatitis B are examined.