title: Complexity and diversity of hepatitis B virus quasispecies: correlation with long-term entecavir antiviral efficacy.
abstract: This study was undertaken to determine the complexity and diversity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) quasispecies during long-term antiviral therapy and examine their impacts on therapeutic outcome. Six chronic hepatitis B patients receiving entecavir monotherapy (0.5mg/day) for 3 years were enrolled. The reverse transcriptase region of the HBV polymerase gene was sequenced and HBV quasispecies complexity and diversity were calculated. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as serum HBV DNA <57 IU/ml from 48 weeks after treatment to the end of follow up. Four patients achieved a SVR and the other two had a virological breakthrough at week 24. Despite comparable baseline levels, the complexity and diversity of HBV quasispecies were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in sustained responders versus the patients with a virological breakthrough 48 weeks after treatment. Thus, reduction in HBV quasispecies complexity and diversity may predict an SVR to long-term entecavir monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Qing-Ling
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ai-Long
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jin-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044822:Biodiversity; D005260:Female; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014764:Viral Proteins; C413685:entecavir; D006147:Guanine; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
keywords: Entecavir; Evolution; Genetic heterogeneity; Hepatitis B virus