Serum qAnti‐HBc combined with ALT and HBsAg predicts significant hepatic inflammation in HBeAg‐positive immune active patients

Background and Aim Quantitative hepatitis B core antibody (qAnti‐HBc) level has been reported to predict significant liver inflammation in treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B patients. However, little evidence has been revealed that qAnti‐HBc alone or with other serum parameters in predicting moderate to severe hepatic inflammation in HBeAg‐positive immune active patients treated with entecavir (ETV). Methods A total of 142 patients with HBeAg‐positive immune active hepatitis were recruited in our study. Serum liver biochemistry, qAnti‐HBc, hepatitis B virus markers, and liver inflammation were evaluated during 48‐week ETV treatment. The association between liver inflammation grades and serum markers was systematically analyzed. Results The patients with moderate to severe inflammation (≥ G2) had a significantly higher level of qAnti‐HBc compared with those with no to mild liver inflammation patients (