Research Article

Hepatitis B virus genotypes and spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in Taiwanese hepatitis B carriers

  1. Jia-Horng Kao MD, PhD1,2,3,4,*,
  2. Pei-Jer Chen1,4,
  3. Ming-Yang Lai1,3,4,
  4. Ding-Shinn Chen3

Article first published online: 9 JAN 2004

DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10534

Issue

Journal of Medical Virology

Journal of Medical Virology

Volume 72, Issue 3, pages 363–369, March 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kao, J.-H., Chen, P.-J., Lai, M.-Y. and Chen, D.-S. (2004), Hepatitis B virus genotypes and spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in Taiwanese hepatitis B carriers. J. Med. Virol., 72: 363–369. doi: 10.1002/jmv.10534

Author Information

  1. 1

    Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

  2. 2

    Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

  3. 3

    Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

  4. 4

    Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

*Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 JAN 2004
  2. Article first published online: 9 JAN 2004
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 30 JUL 2003

Funded by

  • The Department of Health, and the National Science Council, Executive Yuan, Taiwan

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Keywords:

  • hepatitis B virus;
  • hepatitis B genotype;
  • hepatitis B e antigen;
  • seroconversion;
  • chronic hepatitis

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 ≤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. J. Med. Virol. 72:363–369, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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