Analysis of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using high‐sensitivity HBsAg assays in hepatitis B virus carriers in whom HBsAg seroclearance was confirmed by conventional assays

Aim

We investigated the utility of high‐sensitivity hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) assays compared with conventional HBsAg assays.

Methods

Using serum samples from 114 hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers in whom HBsAg seroclearance was confirmed by conventional HBsAg assays (cut‐off value, 0.05 IU/mL), the amount of HBsAg was re‐examined by high‐sensitivity HBsAg assays (cut‐off value, 0.005 IU/mL). Cases negative for HBsAg in both assays were defined as consistent cases, and cases positive for HBsAg in the high‐sensitivity HBsAg assay only were defined as discrepant cases.

Results

There were 55 (48.2%) discrepant cases, and the range of HBsAg titers determined by high‐sensitivity HBsAg assays was 0.005–0.056 IU/mL. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of nucleos(t)ide analog therapy, liver cirrhosis, and negative anti‐HBs contributed to the discrepancies between the two assays. Cumulative anti‐HBs positivity rates among discrepant cases were 12.7%, 17.2%, 38.8%, and 43.9% at baseline, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years, respectively, whereas the corresponding rates among consistent cases were 50.8%, 56.0%, 61.7%, and 68.0%, respectively. Hepatitis B virus DNA negativity rates were 56.4% and 81.4% at baseline, 51.3% and 83.3% at 1 year, and 36.8% and 95.7% at 3 years, among discrepant and consistent cases, respectively. Hepatitis B surface antigen reversion was observed only in discrepant cases.

Conclusions

Re‐examination by high‐sensitivity HBsAg assays revealed that HBsAg was positive in approximately 50% of cases. Cumulative anti‐HBs seroconversion rates and HBV‐DNA seroclearance rates were lower in these cases, suggesting a population at risk for HBsAg reversion.     

Clinical and virological factors associated with hepatitis B virus reactivation in HBsAg‐negative and anti‐HBc antibodies‐positive patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or autologous stem cell transplantation for cancer

Summary. We studied clinical outcome and clinico‐virological factors associated with hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBV‐R) following cancer treatment in hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative/anti‐hepatitis B core antibodies (anti‐HBcAb)‐positive patients. Between 11/2003 and 12/2005, HBV‐R occurred in 7/84 HBsAg‐negative/anti‐HBcAb‐positive patients treated for haematological or solid cancer. Virological factors including HBV genotype, core promoter, precore, and HBsAg genotypic and amino acid (aa) patterns were studied. Patients presenting with reactivation were men, had an hepatitis B virus surface antibody (HBsAb) titre <100 IU/L and underwent >1 line of chemotherapy (CT) significantly more frequently than controls. All were treated for haematological cancer, 3/7 received haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and 4/7 received rituximab. Using multivariate analysis, receiving >1 line of CT was an independent risk factor for HBV‐R. Fatal outcome occurred in 3/7 patients (despite lamivudine therapy in two), whereas 2/4 survivors had an HBsAg seroconversion. HBV‐R involved non‐A HBV genotypes and core promoter and/or precore HBV mutants in all cases. Mutations known to impair HBsAg antigenicity were detected in HBV DNA from all seven patients. HBV DNA could be retrospectively detected in two patients prior cancer treatment and despite HBsAg negativity. HBV‐R is a concern in HBsAg‐negative/anti‐HBcAb‐positive patients undergoing cancer therapy, especially in males presenting with haematological cancer, a low anti‐HBsAb titre and more than one chemotherapeutic agent. HBV DNA testing is mandatory to improve diagnosis and management of HBV‐R in these patients. The role of specific therapies such as rituximab or HSCT as well as of HBV aa variability deserves further studies.     

Efficacy and safety of an intravenous monoclonal anti‐HBs in chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract: Background/Aims: In this study the safety and efficacy of a monoclonal anti‐HBs, Tuvirumab (Mab), were investigated. Tuvirumab is a human monoclonal antibody recognizing the stable ‘a’‐determinant of the HBsAg. Methods: We included ten chronic hepatitis B patients: four received monotherapy, and six combination therapy with interferon alpha 2b. Results: Because the development of insoluble [HBsAg–HBsAb] complexes led to adverse events, the Mab dose had to be reduced in seven patients. In nine patients treatment was stopped prematurely because of lack of efficacy, i.e. neutralization of HBsAg in serum. However, temporary HBsAg levels were reduced by at least 50% in all patients; in three patients receiving combination therapy, background levels of HBsAg in serum were reached. A loss of serum HBV‐DNA was seen in three patients in the combination group, followed by HBeAg seroconversion in two patients. Conclusions: We conclude that Mab was not effective in achieving primary efficacy as assessed by neutralization of circulating HBsAg. Whether a combination of Mab with an antiviral agent that reduces the HBsAg load – and therefore minimizes the risk of adverse events – may result in clinical efficacy should be investigated.     

Wild-type and 'a' epitope variants in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody

AIMS: This study aims to examine the genomic variants of the 'a' epitope in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers positive for both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). METHODS: Eighteen HBV carriers were studied. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was extracted and the 'a' epitope region was amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: Eighteen Chinese asymptomatic HBV carriers were studied. There were 13 patients who were positive for both HBsAg and anti-HBs. Of these, one patient had only wild-type HBV, three had a viral mixture, and five had only 'a' epitope variant HBV. Of the three patients with a viral mixture, all had variants in the less conserved region (123-137). Of the five patients with pure HBsAg mutants, three had variants in the less conserved region while two had variants in the highly conserved region. In this study with a limited number of patients, the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were higher in patients with wild-type HBV, compared with those with either 'a' epitope variants or a viral mixture consisting of wild type and variants. CONCLUSION: Eight of the nine (89%) patients positive for both HBsAg and anti-HBs harbored an 'a' epitope variant. The lower ALT levels seen in patients who had either pure 'a' epitope variant or a mixture of wild type and mutants suggest that a closer monitoring of these 'a' epitope variants should be required, as patients carrying these infectious viral strains may remain asymptomatic.     

Hepatocyte hepatitis B surface antigen expression in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers in Singapore: Correlation with viral replication and liver pathology

The hepatocyte hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression in 149 liver biopsies from 124 chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers was correlated with serum HBV DNA status and histologic activity. Hepatocyte HBsAg was stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method and serum HBV DNA was determined by dot blot hybridization. Sixty-five biopsies (44%) showed minimal changes (MC), 82 biopsies (55%) showed chronic liver disease (CLD) and 2 biopsies (1%) showed hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatocyte HBsAg was found in 144 biopsies (97%). It was present in the cytoplasm of 141 specimens (95%) and/or plasma membrane of 48 specimens (32%). Approximately half (45%) of the cytoplasmic HBsAg-positive biopsies showed discrete distribution, while the other half (55%) were grouped. Fifty-five per cent (77 of 141) of cytoplasmic HbsAg-positive biopsies had CLD, while 44% (62 of 141) showed MC. There was no relationship between the presence of cytoplasmic HBsAg or its topographic distribution with disease activity. Membrane HBsAg distribution was similar for both groups of patients (MC vs CLD: 25 of 65 (38%) vs 23 of 82 (28%); P = NS). Serum HBV DNA was detected in 98 patients (66%) and was seen mostly in association with CLD (CLD vs MC: 61% vs 39%, P less than 0.001). It was also detected more often in the sera of patients with membrane HBsAg than in those with cytoplasmic HBsAg staining (41 of 48 (85%) vs 97 of 141 (67%); P less than 0.02). However, discrete distribution of cytoplasmic HBsAg was associated with positive serum HBV DNA when compared with grouped distribution (52 of 63 (83%) vs 43 of 78 vs (55%); P less than 0.005).     

Loss of HBsAg antigen during treatment with entecavir or lamivudine in nucleoside‐naïve HBeAg‐positive patients with chronic hepatitis B*

Summary. This retrospective analysis was conducted to describe the characteristics of nucleoside‐naïve hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive patients with chronic hepatitis B, who achieved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss during entecavir or lamivudine therapy. HBeAg‐positive adults with chronic hepatitis B, elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, and compensated liver disease were randomized to double‐blind treatment for up to 96 weeks with entecavir 0.5 mg/day or lamivudine 100 mg/day. HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were measured at regular intervals during and off‐treatment follow‐up. Through a maximum duration of 96 weeks on‐treatment and 24 weeks off‐treatment, HBsAg loss was confirmed in 18/354 (5.1%) patients treated with entecavir and 10/355 (2.8%) patients treated with lamivudine. Among the 28 patients with confirmed HBsAg loss, 27 (96%) achieved HBV DNA <300 copies/mL, and 27 (96%) achieved confirmed HBeAg loss. All entecavir recipients with HBsAg loss had HBV DNA <300 copies/mL. Caucasian patients, and those infected with HBV genotype A or D, were significantly more likely to lose HBsAg. This retrospective analysis of data from a randomized, global phase three trial shows that confirmed loss of HBsAg occurred in 5% of nucleoside‐naïve HBeAg‐positive patients treated with entecavir, and that HBsAg loss is associated with sustained off‐treatment suppression of HBV DNA.     

Factors associated with isolated anti‐hepatitis B core antibody in HIV‐positive patients: impact of compromised immunity

Summary. In regions that are hyperendemic for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, prevalence of and risk factors associated with isolated anti‐hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc) in HIV‐positive patients are less well described. HIV‐positive patients who were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti‐hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs) and anti‐HBc at designated hospitals for HIV care in Taiwan were included for analysis. HBV DNA was detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction in patients with and without isolated anti‐HBc. Of 2351 HIV‐positive patients, 450 (19.1%) were HBsAg positive, 411 (17.5%) were anti‐HBc positive alone and 963 (41.0%) for both anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc. Compared with patients who were positive for both anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc, patients with isolated anti‐HBc were older, less likely to have anti‐hepatitis C virus antibody (anti‐HCV), had lower CD4 lymphocyte counts and higher plasma HIV RNA loads. Older age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.029; 95% confidence interval, 1.015–1.043) and CD4 <100 cells/μL (adjusted odds ratio, 1.524; 95% confidence interval, 1.025–2.265) were independently associated with isolated anti‐HBc by logistic regression, while presence of anti‐HCV and injecting drug use were not. HBV DNA was detectable in 8.3% of 277 patients with isolated anti‐HBc and 14.3% of 56 patients with both anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc (P = 0.160). In a country hyperendemic for HBV infection, HIV‐positive patients at older age and with CD4 <100 cells/μL were more likely to have isolated anti‐HBc, suggesting that compromised immunity plays a role in the presence of this marker.     

Clinical significance of antibody against hepatitis B virus core antigen in patients with hepatitis C virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: We investigated the unsettled issue of whether seropositivity for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) affects characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Antibody status was determined by enzyme immunoassay in 243 patients with this cancer, and associations with clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome were analysed. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of 235 patients with unequivocal serologic status, 142 were seropositive and 93 were seronegative. Clinicopathologic characteristics and overall cumulative survival rates were comparable between the two groups. However, seropositivity tended to predict poor outcome for patients in Child class B or C (P=0.068), those in tumour‐nodes‐metastasis‐based stage 3 or 4 (P=0.081), those with tumours exceeding 25 mm (P=0.068), and those with a past history of clinical liver disease (P=0.088). Multivariate analysis identified serum albumin, portal vein tumour thrombosis, and tumour size as independent determinants of survival. Serum HBV DNA was below 1.7 log copies/ml in all 40 patients tested. Conclusions: Overall, the clinical features of HCV‐HCC were unaffected by seropositivity for anti‐HBc. Seropositivity tended to worsen prognosis for subgroup with poor hepatic reserve or advanced tumours.     

Risk of hepatic decompensation but not hepatocellular carcinoma decreases over time in patients with hepatitis B surface antigen loss

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Hepatitis B virus precore mutants in HBeAg carriers with chronic hepatitis treated with interferon

Summary. Precore mutants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were looked for in 18 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) carriers who were treated with recombinant interferon-a (rIFN) and the results were compared with those obtained in 12 untreated carriers who underwent spontaneous HBeAb seroconversion. Molecular analysis of the HBV precore region was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequencing. Precore mutants with a stop codon at codon 28 were detectable at baseline in 19/30 carriers. However, wild-type strains predominated in the baseline sera of both treated ( n = 16) and untreated ( n = 10) patients. Sera from the remaining four patients contained predominantly or exclusively mutant virions. Following IFN treatment, there was a shift from the wild-type pattern to the mutant pattern in all patients, with the precore pattern prevailing in long-term responders (six out of nine) compared with the non-responders (none of nine). The wild-type pattern predominated among the non-responders (eight vs three), suggesting that the long-term response to IFN was associated with take-over of precore mutants. There were no relationships between any pre-treatment precore molecular pattern and disease severity or outcome of treatment. Precore mutants also took over in 10 of the 12 untreated patients (83%), who underwent spontaneous HBeAb seroconversion. Thus, a shift from wild-type to precore mutant pattern occurs in most Italian patients undergoing IFN-induced or spontaneous HBeAb seroconversion.     

Genotypes B and C hepatocellular carcinoma–associated hepatitis B virus pre‐S mutants: their detection among F1b and A2 – but not F4 – isolates from Argentina

Summary. Prevalence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)‐associated hepatitis B virus (HBV) pre‐S mutants among most genotypes are still lacking. In this study, viral (sub)genotypes of 70 Argentine nucleotide sequences (33 newly obtained) were determined by phylogenetic analysis, and the presence of such mutants was assessed in the American continent for the first time. Nucleotide substitutions of the pre‐S2 start codon were observed in 10% of the HBV/A2 sequences. Ten per cent of the HBV/A2 and 12.5% of the HBV/F1b – but none of HBV/F4 – exhibited a deletion in the pre‐S1/pre‐S2 region. The contribution of these variants to liver cirrhosis (LC) and/or HCC development among HBV/F and HBV/A isolates deserves further prospective clinical studies.     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原定量与肝癌的关系探讨

目的结合HBVDNA载量、HBeAg阳性与HBeAg阴性,评价HBsAg在原发性肝癌(HCC)发生、发展中的意义。方法采用化学发光法检测306例HBV感染所致肝硬化及肝硬化合并HCC的两组患者血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物(HBVM)滴度,采用荧光定量PCR技术检测患者血清HBVDNA载量。结果肝硬化组:血清HBsAg滴度≥250IU/ml者占67.5%;HBeAg阳性者占23.8%;HBeAg阴性者占76.2%;HBVDNA≥104copies/ml者占79.5%。肝硬化合并HCC组:血清HBsAg滴度≥250IU/ml者占81.9%;HBeAg阳性者占38.1%;HBeAg阴性者占61.9%;HBVDNA≥104copies/ml者占61.3%。两组中HBsAg≥250IU/ml与HBVDNA≥104copies/ml病例比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在HBV感染所致肝硬化患者中,长期高滴度状态的HBsAg在评价肝硬化发展为HCC中同样起到预警信号的作用。     

慢性HBV携带者发展为肝细胞癌1例报告

正1病例资料患者男性,40岁,于1998年体检发现HBs Ag阳性,无乙型肝炎家族史,不饮酒,无其他疾病史,未行保肝及抗病毒治疗。2004年8月来本院门诊首次就诊,查血常规、凝血常规、肝功能均正常;HBs Ag、HBe Ag、抗-HBc阳性,HBV DNA定量6.3×105IU/ml,甲胎蛋白(AFP)3.65 ng/ml,腹部超声提示肝血管瘤可能性大,胆囊     

Detection of hepatitis B virus precore stop codon mutants by selective amplification method: Frequent detection of precore mutants in hepatitis B e antigen positive healthy carriers

The precore region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is indispensable for secretion of e antigen protein. Therefore, the precore stop codon mutants may play an important role in the process of e antigen seroconversion. However, the presence of the mutants in hepatitis B e antigen positive carriers has not been fully studied because of difficulties in detecting the mutants in the presence of large amounts of wild-type viruses. To overcome this, a sensitive method has been developed to detect the presence of G to A stop codon mutants at codon 28 of precore region. Primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were devised to introduce restriction enzyme site Sty I for wild-type viruses and Dde I for the mutants. The amplification products with these primers were digested with Sty I to exclude the products from wild-type viruses. The remaining amplicon from precore mutants were re-amplified, and the presence of precore mutant was confirmed with Dde I digestion. The presence of precore mutants was examined in 61 HBV carriers by the method combining PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. Approximately 0.1% of precore mutant DNA among 10⁶ copies of wild-type virus DNA was detectable by this method. The presence of the precore mutants was detected in seven of 10 (70%) e antigen positive asymptomatic carriers, and in 29 of 36 (81%) e antigen positive patients with chronic liver diseases, and in all 15 (100%) anti-e antibody positive patients with chronic liver diseases. This study revealed that a small amount of the precore mutants was present in the majority of HBV carriers.     

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in hepatitis B virus surface antigen negative patients receiving immunosuppression: A hidden threat

AIM: To present the characteristics and the course of a series of anti- hepatitis B virus core antibody (HBc) antibody positive patients, who experienced hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after immunosuppression. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated in our tertiary centers the medical records of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) negative patients who suffered from HBV reactivation after chemotherapy or immunosuppression during a 3-year period (2009-2011). Accordingly, the clinical, laboratory and virological characteristics of 10 anti-HBc (+) anti-HBs (-)/HBsAg (-) and 4 anti-HBc (+)/antiHBs (+)/HBsAg (-) patients, who developed HBV reactivation after the initiation of chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment were analyzed. Quantitative determination of HBV DNA during reactivation was performed in all cases by a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction kit (COBAS Taqman HBV Test; cut-off of detection: 6 IU/mL). RESULTS: Twelve out of 14 patients were males; median age 74.5 years. In 71.4% of them the primary diagnosis was hematologic malignancy; 78.6% had received rituximab (R) as part of the immunosuppressive regimen. The median time from last chemotherapy schedule till HBV reactivation for 10 out of 11 patients who received R was 3 (range 2-17) mo. Three patients (21.4%) deteriorated, manifesting ascites and hepatic encephalopathy and 2 (14.3%) of them died due to liver failure. CONCLUSION: HBsAg-negative anti-HBc antibody positive patients can develop HBV reactivation even 2 years after stopping immunosuppression, whereas prompt antiviral treatment on diagnosis of reactivation can be lifesaving.     

HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性的慢性乙型肝炎患者临床特点分析

目的分析HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性的现象及其临床特点,并探讨其产生的原因。方法收集2011年2月-2014年2月东南大学附属第二医院体检者2260例,其中被诊断为慢性乙型肝炎的患者830例。采用化学发光微粒子免疫分析法筛选HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性的患者188例,分为HBeAg阳性组(n=101)和HBeAg阴性组(n=87)。同时选取200例HBsAg阳性、抗-HBs阴性者作为对照,其中HBeAg阳性组80例,HBeAg阴性组120例。检测HBV血清学标志物、肝功能、病毒载量并结合临床进行分析。计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验。结果 HBV血清学标志物在HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性情况下共有5种模式,其中以HBsAg、抗-HBs、HBeAg及抗-HBc阳性,且抗-HBe阴性多见,占47.9%(90/188),肝功能指标总异常率为69.1%(130/188),HBV DNA总阳性率为56.9%(107/188)。HBeAg阳性的2组HBV DNA均存在高水平复制,其中HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性组HBV DNA阳性率与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.632,P0.05);HBeAg阴性组中,HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性组HBV DNA定量1×105IU/ml的比例与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(χ2=10.740,P0.05)。对HBV S区进行测序分析发现,测序的80例HBsAg与抗-HBs双阳性患者中有27例患者的HBV S区发生变异,突变率33.7%,且S区变异位点主要有P29L、S61L、P62L、I126T/S、Q129N、M133K、F134L、G145R/K、L175S和L186H等。结论 HBsAg与抗-HBs同时阳性者在乙型肝炎患者中有一定比例,其主要原因可能是病毒株变异所致。这种情况并不代表疾病好转,且抗-HBs出现并不一定能完全有效清除HBsAg,病毒DNA往往存在持续复制,需引起重视。     

Precore and X region mutants in hepatitis B virus infections among renal dialysis patients

SUMMARY. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants containing mutations within the X and the precore regions of the viral genome were demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA sequencing in renal dialysis patients with different serological patterns of HBV infection. Among carriers, X region deletion mutants predominated in patients who lost hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), or developed anti-HBe, but not in persistently HBeAg-positive patients. The precore region remained wild type in all carriers whether or not they seroconverted from HBeAg to anti-HBe. The frequency of precore and X region mutants was greatest among non-carrier patients with viral antibodies as the only indication of infection and among patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH), suggesting an inverse relationship between the presence of wild type HBV markers and the presence of HBV mutants. Furthermore, the detection of one but not the other mutation in many serum samples suggests that these mutations are independently selected for during infection. Finally, the absence of HBV DNA in 21 'uninfected' dialysis patients with normal transaminases and no viral serology, suggests that replication of these mutants is associated with hepatitis. These results have important implications for HBV screening and treatment, as well as for the pathogenesis of chronic infection.     

Prognostic significance of liver stiffness for hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality in HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B

Summary. The prognostic value of liver stiffness measurements for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is not known. The present study aimed to investigate the use of transient elastography in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and mortality in patients with CHB. Five hundred and twenty‐eight patients with HBeAg‐negative CHB underwent liver stiffness measurements and were prospectively followed up every 3–6 months for a median length of 35 months. The patients were divided into those with liver stiffness <10 kPa (group 1) and ≥10 kPa (group 2). Of the 528 patients, 324 (61%) were men. The median age was 42 years. Compared with group 1, group 2 had a higher percentage of men, with higher median levels of age, liver biochemistry, and viral load. At the third year of follow‐up, the cumulative incidence of HCC was higher in group 2 compared with group 1 (9%vs 0%, respectively, P < 0.001). The cumulative liver‐related mortality was also higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (4%vs 0%, respectively, P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, only liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was significantly associated with HCC development and mortality. There was also a higher cumulative incidence of hepatitis flares in group 2 compared to group 1 (46%vs 14%, respectively, P = 0.001) in patients with normal ALT, with higher LSM and AST being significantly associated with subsequent flares. In HBeAg‐negative CHB patients, a liver stiffness measurement of ≥10 kPa was associated with a significantly increased risk of subsequent HCC development and mortality.