Abstract
Controversies exist regarding the classification of the different clinical phases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) because hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and alanine aminotransferase levels fluctuate over time.(1,2) To improve the distinction of clinical phases and the associated spectrum of clinical outcome,(3,4) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels may be of help.(5-7) We hypothesize that HBV genotype specific HBsAg levels are needed for the identification of different clinical HBV disease phases.(7).