A complete genomic analysis of hepatitis B virus genotypes and mutations in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in China

Lin Zhu, Chi Hang Tse, Vincent Wai Sun Wong, Angel Mei Ling Chim, Kwong Sak Leung, Henry Lik Yuen Chan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We aimed to study the distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes/subgenotypes in different parts of China and their clinical impact on the severity of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B. Residual serum samples from a cohort of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing were studied. Complete HBV genomic sequencing was performed for phylogenetic tree analysis and determination of HBV mutations was carried out. Mutations associated with severe liver fibrosis (Ishak score 4 or more) were selected by computerized information gain criteria. Genotype B (all subgenotype Ba) HBV was present in 19 of 45 (42%), 12 of 31 (39%) and 5 of 25 (20%) patients in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, respectively (P = 0.16). Ninety-seven per cent of genotype C HBV in Shanghai and Beijing belonged to subgenotype Ce whereas 69% of genotype C patients in Hong Kong belonged to subgenotype Cs (P < 0.001). Patients infected by subgenotype Cs had the lowest serum albumin and highest alanine aminotransferase levels compared with subgenotype Ce and Ba. Patients infected by subgenotype Cs also had more severe histological necroinflammation than subgenotype Ce. Two HBV mutations were identified to associate with severe liver fibrosis (G2858C and C2289A) and one mutation was protective against severe liver fibrosis (T2201C). The T2201C mutation was found exclusively among patients (21 of 46 patients, 45%) infected by HBV subgenotype Ce. The clinical differences in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in China may be influenced by different distribution of subgenotype C HBV.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)449-458
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Viral Hepatitis
Volume15
Issue number6
Early online date6 Feb 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2008

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

User-Defined Keywords

  • Chronic hepatitis B
  • Cirrhosis
  • Fibrosis
  • Phylogenetic analysis
  • Polymerase chain reaction
  • Sequencing

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