In 1985, Drs Chu, Liaw, and colleagues described the first phase of chronic hepatitis, referred to as immune tolerant (IT), as “The high replicative phase, characterized by HBeAg reactivity in serum and only minor histologic activity,” including nonspecific reactive hepatitis and chronic persistent hepatitis.1 The high virus titers in IT patients (≥109/mL) and minimal liver damage were taken as evidence that there was no immune activity against infected hepatocytes. The IT designation was reasonable, considering evidence then available.