Impact of liver biopsy on the decision to treat patients with chronic hepatitis B genotype D virus infection.

Objectives: Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) may exhibit significant liver pathology despite alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBV DNA levels below the cutoff values advised by treatment guidelines. We evaluated candidacy for HBV therapy when baseline histopathological changes are taken into consideration.

Methods: Clinical, biochemical, serological, virological, and histopathological (METAVIR score) data of 117 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV genotype D were collected and analyzed.