{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T09:07:39Z","timestamp":1788944859391,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787788800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":26,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,1]],"date-time":"2026-08-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785542400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["mLife"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,8]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>Occult HBV infection (OBI) is characterized by the presence of replication\u2010competent hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (covalently closed circular DNA [cccDNA] and\/or relaxed circular DNA [rcDNA]) in the liver and\/or HBV DNA in the blood, despite negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) serology. The potential risks associated with OBI include HBV blood transmission, diagnostic challenges, and viral reactivation under immunosuppressive therapy. Some patients with OBI may face a higher risk of liver fibrosis compared to those who have achieved complete clearance of the virus. Functional cure is defined as the clearance of HBsAg, with or without hepatitis B surface antibody (anti\u2010HBs) seroconversion, and undetectable serum HBV DNA after finite therapy. It has been recommended as the optimal goal of antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by major guidelines. We highlight that patients achieving functional cure represent a distinct form of cure\u2010related OBI, with unique virological features and potential clinical implications. Furthermore, although direct epidemiological evidence remains limited, accumulating studies have demonstrated that OBI cases with undetectable HBV DNA and negative HBsAg serology retain the potential for transfusion transmission. Accordingly, the transfusion\u2010related risk associated with functional cure should not be overlooked. Here, we discuss the definition, virological and immunological basis, prevalence, diagnosis, and clinical significance of OBI, highlighting its link to cccDNA persistence and immune suppression of viral replication. Finally, we emphasize regular follow\u2010up to mitigate the risks of transfusion\u2010related transmission, HBV reactivation, and disease progression. Further research is warranted to elucidate the viral and immune status of functionally cured patients, thereby optimizing treatment strategies and ensuring blood safety.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/mlf2.70102","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T07:57:36Z","timestamp":1787817456000},"page":"393-400","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Functionally cured chronic hepatitis B: A cure\u2010related occult HBV infection state"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"5","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1832-3209","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fengmin","family":"Lu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences Peking University Health Science Center Beijing China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xin","family":"Zheng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Institute of Transfusion Medicine Shenzhen Blood Center Shenzhen China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xinyu","family":"Du","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Infectious Diseases The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xianlin","family":"Ye","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Institute of Transfusion Medicine Shenzhen Blood Center Shenzhen China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yongzhen","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School Nanjing University Nanjing China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jinfeng","family":"Zeng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shenzhen Institute of Transfusion Medicine Shenzhen Blood Center Shenzhen China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8556-7417","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ying","family":"Yan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center for Gerontology; National Clinical Research Center for Gerontology; The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of NHC; Institute of Geriatric Medicine Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_9_2_1","unstructured":"WHO. 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