• Jong-Han Lee and Hyon-Suk Kim.
• Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
• Int. J. Clin. Pract. 2021 Dec 1; 75 (12): e14812.

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) has a long history in human infectious diseases. HBV infection can progress chronically, leading to cancer. After introduction of a vaccine, the overall incidence rate of HBV infection has decreased, although it remains a health problem in many countries.PurposeThe aim of this review was to summarise current diagnostic efforts for HBV infection and future HBV diagnosis perspectives.MethodsWe reviewed and summarised current laboratory diagnosis related with HBV infection in clinical practice.ResultsThere have been various serologic- and molecular-based methods to diagnose acute or chronic HBV infection. Since intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNAs (cccDNAs) function as robust HBV replication templates, cure of chronic HBV infection is limited. Recently, new biomarkers such as hepatitis B virus core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and HBV RNA have emerged that appear to reflect intrahepatic cccDNA status. These new biomarkers should be validated before clinical usage.ConclusionAn effective diagnostic approach and current updated knowledge of treatment response monitoring are important for HBV infection management. Brand new ultrasensitive and accurate immunologic methods may pave the way to manage HBV infection in parallel with immunotherapy era.© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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