Hepatitis B genotypes correlate with clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
OBJECTIVE
Six genotypes (A-F) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been identified; however, the genotype-related differences in the pathogenicity of HBV remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of HBV genotypes in Taiwan and the association between distinct genotypes and severity of liver disease in a cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Using a molecular method, HBV genotypes were determined in 100 asymptomatic carriers and in 170 patients with histologically verified chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


RESULTS
All genotypes except genotype E were identified in Taiwan, and genotypes B and C were predominant. Genotype C was prevalent in patients with cirrhosis and in those with HCC who were older than 50 years compared with age-matched asymptomatic carriers (60% vs. 23%, P < 0.001, and 41% vs. 15%, P = 0.005, respectively). Genotype B was significantly more common in patients with HCC aged less than 50 years compared with age-matched asymptomatic carriers (80% vs. 52%, P = 0.03). This predominance was more marked in younger patients with HCC (90% in those aged </=35 years), most of whom did not have cirrhosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that HBV genotype C is associated with more severe liver disease and genotype B may be associated with the development of HCC in young Taiwanese. However, additional large-scale longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the relationship of HBV genotypes to liver disease severity and clinical outcomes.
Kao
J H
JH
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
P J
PJ
Lai
M Y
MY
Chen
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013624:Taiwan