Improved Sensitivity Detection of Serum HBsAg and HBsAg Reversion

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the HBsAg reversion rate at 48 weeks off treatment in HBsAg-negative patients by HBsAg NEXT assay which has improved sensitivity compared to current ARCHITECT HBsAg Assay. The main question it aims to answer is: What's the HBsAg reversion rate at 48 weeks off treatment in HBsAg-negative patients by HBsAg NEXT assay? HBsAg NEXT assay technology (lower limit of detection for HBsAg is 0.005 IU/ml) and current ARCHITECT HBsAg assay (lower limit of detection for HBsAg is 0.05 IU/ml) are applied for HBsAg detection in patients achieving functional cure, and to compare the difference in HBsAg reversion rate 48 weeks off treatment under the two types of criteria.

In this study, chronic hepatitis B patients who achieved HBsAg loss by current ARCHITECT HBsAg testing (lower limit of detection for HBsAg is 0.05 IU/ml) under interferon therapy and received consolidation therapy for 3 month after that were screened for eligibility. Those who are willing to discontinue were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided in two groups according to HBsAg levels，one with patients who were HBsAg-negative （HBsAg\<0.005 IU/mL）by HBsAg next assay , and the other with patients who had HBsAg levels between 0.005 IU/mL and 0.05IU/mL. Patients were followed up for 48 weeks after discontinuation after HBsAg loss and HBsAg reversion rates in the two groups were analyzed and compared.