Selection pressure on the hepatitis B virus pre-S/S and P open reading frames in Tongan subjects with a chronic hepatitis B virus infection

► We need a therapeutic vaccine to control viral replication in chronic hepatitis B. ► The best antigens to include in the vaccine have not been identified. ► CD8+ T cell responses to HBV core antigens control replication in inactive healthy carriers. ► We could not detect CD8+ T cell responses to pre-S/S and P ORF antigens in inactive healthy carriers. ► pre-S/S and P ORF antigens may not be needed in a therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B.