Hepatitis B: Advanced Clinical Diagnosis Techniques and Treatment Lines-An Updated Review | ||||
Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||||
Volume 67, Issue 13, December 2024, Page 1873-1885 PDF (526.69 K) | ||||
Document Type: Review Articles | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2024.344336.10990 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Sultan Hamad Ahmed Awaji1; Adel Hamad Ahmed Awaji2; Hussain Mohammed Ahmed Alsalem2; Mohammed Essa Maqbul Oraybi1; Ali Mansour Ali Al Bashir3; Ebtehal Hamod Ali3; Ashwag Mohammed Ali Maashi1; Khawlah Abdullah Alqabi4; Musaad Saad Mubarak Aldwsri5; Norah Mohammed Sadly5; Musheerah Ibrahim Majrashi5; Abdullah I.. Alotaibi5; Reham Fahad Naser Almwah5 | ||||
1Technician-Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
2Senior Specialist-Laboratory - Clinical Biochemistry, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
3Pharmacy technician / Nursing, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
4Laboratory specialist, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
5King Saud Medical City, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a major global health challenge, affecting over 292 million people worldwide. The virus, often contracted in early childhood or during pregnancy, can lead to serious liver conditions like cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. As part of the World Health Organization’s strategy to reduce the incidence and mortality of CHB by 2030, improving treatment outcomes through advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is essential. Chronic infection often persists due to the immune system's failure to mount an effective response, leading to lifelong viral persistence. Aim: This review aims to explore advanced clinical diagnosis techniques for hepatitis B, focusing on the role of pharmacists and laboratories in improving patient management through novel biomarkers and antiviral treatments. Methods: The article examines current antiviral therapies, including nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) and pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNa), and their mechanisms of action. It also discusses the role of viral biomarkers, such as HBV DNA, HBV RNA, and HBsAg, in monitoring treatment response. The review highlights how laboratory tests can aid in assessing the effectiveness of these therapies, predict prognosis, and help pharmacists in tailoring individualized treatment plans. Results: Antiviral treatments like NUCs are highly effective in reducing viral replication and improving patient outcomes, though complete eradication of the virus remains challenging due to the persistence of cccDNA. New viral biomarkers, such as HBV pgRNA and HBV DNA levels, offer insight into treatment efficacy and long-term prognosis. These biomarkers provide a non-invasive means to evaluate ongoing viral replication and guide treatment decisions, supporting more personalized care. Conclusion: Advances in hepatitis B treatment are significantly enhanced by the integration of laboratory-based biomarker assessments. Pharmacists play a crucial role in the management of CHB by using these biomarkers to optimize therapeutic regimens and enhance patient outcomes. Laboratories are essential in the early detection of viral markers and in monitoring therapeutic responses, which are vital for improving treatment strategies and achieving functional cure in CHB patients. | ||||
Keywords | ||||
Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB); Antiviral Treatment; Biomarkers; Pharmacists; Laboratory Diagnostics; Hepatitis B Virus (HBV); Viral Nucleic Acids | ||||
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