Background:This study aimed to analyze the relationship between quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid in hepatitis B e antigen-positive and hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients and to determine the best cut-off value for quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen to predict high hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid levels (≥2000 IU/mL).Methods:Ninety-seven sera from chronic hepatitis B patients were collected in this study. Hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid levels were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen levels were determined by two-site sandwich chemiluminescence immunoassay. Alanine transaminase levels were measured by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry-approved methods.Results:A significant correlation between quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid levels was observed in hepatitis B e antigen-positive group (r= 0.453,P= .002), but not in hepatitis B e antigen-negative group (r= 0.117,P= .454). No significant correlation between quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen and alanine transaminase was found in the hepatitis B e antigen-positive group (r= 0.521,P= .241). However, a significant correlation was shown between quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen and alanine transaminase levels in the hepatitis B e antigen-negative group (r= 0.455,P= .001). The best cut-off value of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen for predicting high hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid levels was 3.422 × 103IU/mL.Conclusion:Correlation between quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid levels is significant in the hepatitis B e antigen-positive group. Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen can be used to predict high hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid levels in the hepatitis B e antigen-positive group.