Which of the following is a clinical feature of hepatitis B but not hepatitis A?

Hepatitis B is known for its potential to lead to chronic infection, which distinguishes it from hepatitis A. While both viruses can cause jaundice, dark urine, and fulminant hepatic failure, hepatitis A typically results in an acute infection that resolves within a few months without leading to long-term complications or chronicity.

In the case of hepatitis B, however, after the initial acute phase, some individuals can develop a chronic infection that persists for six months or longer. This chronic state can lead to serious complications like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma over time. The ability of hepatitis B to integrate into the host's genome and establish lifelong infection is a key characteristic, contrasting with hepatitis A, which does not lead to chronic disease and is usually self-limiting. This critical feature underscores the importance of distinguishing between these two forms of viral hepatitis in clinical practice.