The difficulty in determining HBV DNA in the liver biopsy (frequently not justified in subjects without clinical signs of hepatitis), the rare presence of detectable viremia in serum even with sensitive techniques, and the frequent presence in occult carriers of markers of previous contact with the HBV (antiHBc+/− antiHBs), leads one to consider all anti-HBc (anti-core)-positivesubjectsas potential occult carriers. The gene discussed is KRT88P; the disease is Hepatitis.