title: Difference in prognosis between patients infected with hepatitis B virus with genotype B and those with genotype C in the Okinawa Islands: a prospective study.
abstract: The factors contributing to the prognosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)- related chronic liver disease were assessed prospectively in 72 patients with chronic hepatitis B confirmed clinically and pathologically. A comparative study was undertaken between patients infected with genotype B and those with genotype C. During the follow-up period, 13 (81.3%) of 16 patients with genotype B who were initially hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive became HBeAg negative and 14 (51.9%) of 27 with genotype C became HBeAg negative. HBeAg had been cleared in 8 (61.5%) of 13 patients with genotype B within the first 2 years of the follow-up, but in only one (7.1%) of 14 with genotype C (P < 0.05). Four (11.4%) of 35 patients with genotype B had progressed to cirrhosis, whereas, 12 (32.4%) of 37 patients with genotype C progressed to cirrhosis, including two patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Multivariate analysis showed that difference in HBV genotype influenced significantly either the clearance of HBeAg or the development of cirrhosis. In conclusion, HBeAg was cleared from sera more frequently and earlier in patients with genotype B compared with those with genotype C, and development of cirrhosis occurred less frequently in patients with genotype B compared with those with genotype C. Thus, HBV genotypes may influence the prognosis of HBV-related chronic liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonabaru Central Hospital, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomokuni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayoshi
authors.forename: Tatsuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maeshiro
authors.forename: Tomofumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayoshi
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakasone
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakugawa
authors.forename: Fukunori
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kinjo
authors.forename: Etsuro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orito
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mizokami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens