Clinical features of hepatitis B virus genotype A in Japanese patients.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype A is predominant in northern Europe and central Africa. In the present study, we examined the clinical features associated with HBV genotype A disease in the Tokyo metropolitan area.


METHODS
We investigated 53 cases of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive Japanese patients with HBV genotype A. The 53 cases were further classified as to their serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) status being within the normal range (asymptomatic carriers, n = 17), chronic hepatitis (n = 15), liver cirrhosis (n = 4), and acute hepatitis (n = 17).


RESULTS
Chronic hepatitis patients had significantly higher HBV DNA levels (P = 0.003) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity rates at the initial visit than did asymptomatic carriers or patients with liver cirrhosis (P = 0.003 and P = 0.054, respectively). The efficacy of treatment (HBeAg seroconversion rate) was 75% in 12 chronic hepatitis patients, which was excellent. A family history of HBsAg positivity was identified in eight (15%) families (five asymptomatic carriers, three with chronic hepatitis). However, none of the mothers in the study was positive for HBV genotype A.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal transmission of HBV has often been reported in Japan, but our present findings suggest that horizontal infection of HBV genotype A is more prevalent in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Our data indicate that HBV genotype A exhibits a mode of infection different from that of conventional HBV previously seen in Japan.
Kobayashi
Mariko
M
Research Institute for Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, 1-3-1 Kajigaya, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki 213-8587, Japan.
Arase
Yasuji
Y
Ikeda
Kenji
K
Tsubota
Akihito
A
Suzuki
Yoshiyuki
Y
Hosaka
Tetsuya
T
Saitoh
Satoshi
S
Kobayashi
Masahiro
M
Suzuki
Fumitaka
F
Akuta
Norio
N
Someya
Takashi
T
Matsuda
Marie
M
Sato
Junko
J
Kumada
Hiromitsu
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens