[Hepatic steatosis: a common reason for elevated alanine aminotransferase levels in HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with low HBV DNA loads].

Objective: To evaluate the causes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level elevation in HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with low HBV DNA loads.

Methods: One hundred nineteen HBsAg positive CHB patients with both serum HBV DNA loads less than 1000 copies/ml and ALT more than 1.25 upper limits of normal (ULN) lasting for at least 6 months were enrolled in this study.