Hepatitis B virus genotype B is associated with earlier HBeAg seroconversion compared with hepatitis B virus genotype C.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies suggest that hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype B is associated with less active liver disease than HBV genotype C. The aim of our study was to determine if HBV genotype B is associated with higher rates of spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion compared with genotype C.


METHODS
A retrospective study using stored sera from 332 Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection followed for a mean of 48 months (range, 12-98) were tested for HBV genotype using a line-probe assay.


RESULTS
HBV DNA was detected in 273 patients, 122 had HBV genotype B and 147 genotype C. Patients with genotype B had a significantly lower prevalence of HBeAg at presentation and significantly higher rates of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion during follow-up. HBV genotype B patients who were HBeAg positive were significantly younger, and spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurred approximately 1 decade earlier compared with HBV genotype C patients. Multivariate analyses identified high alanine aminotransferase (baseline and follow-up), age >30 years, and genotype B as independent factors associated with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion.


CONCLUSIONS
HBV genotype B is associated with earlier HBeAg seroconversion than genotype C. This finding may explain the less active/progressive liver disease in patients with genotype B.
Chu
Chi-Jen
CJ
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan and VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Hussain
Munira
M
Lok
Anna S F
AS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005838:Genotype; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens