title: Hepatitis B virus genotypes and spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in Taiwanese hepatitis B carriers.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is classified into eight genotypes (A-H), and genotype C is associated with more aggressive liver disease compared to genotype B. However, the mechanisms responsible for the clinical differences remain unclear. To test whether genotype C patients had with lower rates of spontaneous hepatitis B ge antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion than genotype B patients, stored serum samples from 146 Taiwanese adult HBeAg-positive hepatitis B carriers followed-up for a mean of 52 months (range, 12-120 months) were tested for HBV genotype by a molecular method. Genotype C patients were significantly older than genotype B patients (mean age, 37 +/- 12 vs. 29 +/- 10 years, P < 0.001). During the follow-up period, genotype C patients had a significantly lower rate of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion than genotype B patients (27 vs. 47%, P < 0.025). Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurred one decade later in genotype C patients compared with genotype B patients. Multivariate analyses identified age < or =35 years (odds ratio: 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-4.0; P < 0.05), high baseline serum alanine aminotransferase level (odds ratio: 2.34; 95%CI, 1.39-4.09; P < 0.005), and HBV genotype B (odds ratio: 1.94; 95%CI, 1.03-3.63; P < 0.05) as independent factors associated with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. In conclusion, genotype C patients, compared to genotype B patients, have a delayed HBeAg seroconversion in the immune clearance phase of chronic HBV infection, which may contribute to a more progressive liver disease and more refractory to antiviral therapy.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. kjh@ha.mc.ntu.tw
authors.forename: Jia-Horng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Pei-Jer
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ming-Yang
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Ding-Shinn
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase