Discovery of Half-life of Circulating Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection Using Heavy Water Labeling

: In a pilot study, heavy water labeling was used to determine HBsAg turnover rates in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. The mean (SD) half-life of HBsAg in blood was 6.7 (5.5) days which therefore reflects recent production in liver and supports strategies aimed at reducing HBsAg production in CHB patients.