Molecular Epidemiology and Clinical Significance of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes, Core Promoter and Precore Mutations in Eastern India

Abstract

Objectives: This unmatched case-control study aimed at determining the molecular epidemiology and clinical significance of HBV genotypes, core promoter (CP) and precore (PC) mutations in Eastern India. Methods: Serological, biochemical and molecular assays were used to examine antigens, ALT, genotypes, mutations and viremia among 106 inactive carriers and 183 chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. Results: Male gender (p < 0.001), HBeAg positivity (p = 0.050), high ALT (p < 0.001), high viremia (p < 0.001), CP mutations (p < 0.001), and genotypes A (p < 0.001) and C (p = 0.027) were significantly associated with CLD. Subjects infected with genotypes A and C had significantly higher prevalence of BCP mutations (p < 0.001), and low incidence of PC mutation (p < 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively). Prevalence of genotype D was significantly higher among subjects with history of familial/childhood jaundice, while genotypes A and C were frequent among subjects with possible percutaneous exposure. Conclusions: Significant differences in risk factors and disease manifestation do exist among patients infected with different HBV genotypes. Genotypes A and C are frequently found among chronic liver disease patients, while genotype D is associated with inactive HBeAg-negative infections. This evaluation of clinical relevance of HBV genotypes, mutations and risk factors may be useful in disease prognosis, management and prevention strategies.

Genetic Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes: Evidence for Selection and Compartmentalization of Viral Variants with the Immune Escape G145R Mutation

“…Recent studies also have shown the differential clinical/virological significance of different HBV genotypes (13,34,47). The present study offers further evidence in favor of the differential clinical implications of HBV genetic variability in terms of the evolution of immune escape variants and compartmentalization.…”

Clinical Significance of Genotypes and Precore/Basal Core Promoter Mutations in HBV Related Chronic Liver Disease Patients in North India

“…In our study, BCP mutation was found in 29.1% of patients with genotype D, which was significantly more than in genotype A (17.7%, P = 0.001). A study from eastern India reported an association of the BCP mutation with the HBV genotypes A and C [30], while another study by Chauhan et al concluded that the BCP mutations were similarly present in all genotypes [31].…”

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype and cancer predicting precore and basal core promoter mutations

“…This is in accordance with studies from India and rest of the world. 15,17,18 PC (A1896) and BCP (T1762 and A1764) are the most common and clinically significant mutations in the precore/core region. Prevalence of basal core promoter and precore mutants in precore/core region ranging from 33 to 37% has been reported in India amongst chronic HBV patients.…”