Authors
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D.S.R.S. Prakash, S.Murali Mohan, N.Divya Vani and B.Preethi Chandrakala
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a serious global health concern, particularly in developing countries. An estimated 296 million people worldwide are living with chronic HBV infection, many of whom remain undiagnosed. Serological markers such as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) are widely used for initial diagnosis and classification of HBV infection phases. However, these markers alone do not reflect the true replication status of the virus. Quantification of HBV DNA (Viral Load) is crucial for evaluating the stage of infection, assessing infectivity, monitoring response to therapy, and guiding clinical management decisions. This study was undertaken to evaluate the HBV viral load among serologically positive individuals and correlate it with their serological profile and clinical parameters.