Clinical outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes B and C in Japanese patients with chronic HBV infection.

Abstract

Abstract. The aims of this retrospective survey were to determine the epidemiologic distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and analyze the genotype-related clinical differences among Japanese patients with chronic HBV infection. The 158 surveyed patients with chronic HBV infection lived in Fukuoka and Okinawa were serially tested for serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Follow-up was for a period of 10.8 ± 6.4 years (mean ± SD). The HBV genotypes were determined in sera by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and detection of HBV DNA in serum was done by the transcription-mediated amplification−hybridization protection assay. Genotypes B and C were found in 58 (36.7%) and 100 (63.3%) of the patients, respectively. Genotype B was predominant in Okinawa (B ‫ס‬ 86.9%, C ‫ס‬ 13.1%), whereas genotype C was predominant in Fukuoka (B ‫ס‬ 5.2%, C ‫ס‬ 94.8%). The HBeAg positivity and ALT abnormality rates at the start of the observation period were significantly higher in patients with genotype C (66.0% and 84.0%) than in patients with genotype B (34.5% and 22.4%) (P < 0.05, respectively). The annual rate of spontaneous HBeAg disappearance in patients with genotype B was much higher than in patients with genotype C (8.38% versus 2.34%, respectively). Patients with genotype C who were continuously HBeAg negative from entry had a significantly higher ALT abnormality (58.8%) than those with genotype B (19.2%) (P < 0.05). Interestingly, patients with genotype C who became HBeAg negative after treatment with interferon had a high ALT abnormality (58.8%). All patients with an ALT abnormality were positive for HBV DNA in their serum. These findings indicate that patients with HBV genotype C have more severe liver deterioration because of the delay of HBeAg disappearance and continued HBV replication after HBeAg disappearance.

Comparison of genotypes C and D of the hepatitis B virus in Japan: A clinical and molecular biological study

“…There have been several reports concerning the comparison between genotypes C and B in Asia. It is reported that HBV genotype B is associated with earlier HBeAg seroconversion than genotype C or that genotype C is associated with more severe liver disease than genotype B [Kao et al, 2000;Orito et al, 2001a;Chu et al, 2002;Furusyo et al, 2002;Sumi et al, 2003]. There have also been some reports concerning the comparison between genotypes A and D in Europe.…”

Long-term continuous entecavir therapy in nucleos(t)ide-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients

“…All patients were negative for hepatitis C serological markers, but all had detectable HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) for at least 6 months prior to the start of entecavir therapy. Two patients received 0.01 mg entecavir and one patient received 0.1 mg entecavir for 24 weeks, prior to 0.5 mg/day from a phase II study ETV-047 in Japan [11]. The other patients received 0.5 mg entecavir.…”

Correlation between Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes and Clinical Outcomes

“…The status of the HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody correlated with that of mutations in precore regions. Most patients infected with genotype B showed the precore mutation before the age of 30 years, absence of HBeAg production, followed by reduction in HBV-DNA levels (32).…”