| [ Summary ] |
An HBV carrier is defined as an HBs antigen‒positive person who has remained positive for more than 6 months. HBV carriers are categorized into five phases according to their alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, histology, and HBV markers (HBV‒DNA, HB envelopeantigen [HBeAg], HBsAg) as follows, 1) Immune tolerance period, 2) Immune clearance period, (HBeAg+ chronic hepatitis B), 3) Low replicative period (inactive carrier state phase), 4) Reactivation period (HBeAg-chronic hepatitis B), and 5) Recovery period. Given that some HBV carriers will develop liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, a better understanding of the risk factors associated with HBV infection is required. |