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![Hepatitis B virus molecular biology and pathogenesis](https://image.oaes.cc/19004548-2838-4795-b305-a0d54c68afcb/1318.fig.3.png)
Figure 3. The natural history of an hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Infection with HBV can result in an acute, self-clearing, or chronic HBV infection; the development of a chronic HBV infection positively correlates with younger age. A chronic infection usually follows a long-term course in which the virus replicates at high levels, followed by immune-mediated control of viral replication associated with liver inflammation. Seroconversion and maintenance of undetectable or low levels of viral replication are markers of a favorable prognosis, but long-term disease can lead to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. (See text for additional details)