Initial load of hepatitis B virus (HBV), its changing profile, and precore/core promoter mutations correlate with the severity and outcome of acute HBV infection

Background The pathogenesis of the fulminant or severe form of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unclear, although both host- and virus-specific factors are considered to have a great impact on the c course. We aimed to define possible viral factors implicated in the severe form of acute HBV infection.