摘要
Background/Aims We conducted a population study to document the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Hong Kong. Methods HBV genotypes, core promoter (CP) and precore mutations were determined in 776 asymptomatic patients.Results 92.6% patients had single genotype B (32.5% ),C (62.5% ). 99.1% of genotype B was subtype Ba. Patients with age < 50 years had a lower prevalence of genotype B than patients with age >51 years (32.5% vs. 41% , respectively,P=0.028). Compared to patients with genotype C, patientswith genotype B had a higher cumulative rate (P=0.018) and younger age (40.1 vs. 34.2 years, respectively, P=0.018) of HBeAg seroconversion. There were no differences in the HBV DNA levels between patients with genotypes B and C, and with wild-type and mutants of CP and precore regions. By multivariate analysis, patients with genotype C and with CP mutations had higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.Conclusions B and C were the two most common HBV genotypes in Hong Kong. The former had a higher chance of earlier HBeAg seroconversion and lower ALT levels. The prevalence of genotype B was lower in patients with age < 50, probably related to influx of immigrants from China Mainland since 1949.
Background/Aims We conducted a population study to document the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Hong Kong. Methods HBV genotypes, core promoter (CP) and precore mutations were determined in 776 asymptomatic patients.Results 92.6% patients had single genotype B (32.5% ),C (62.5% ). 99.1% of genotype B was subtype Ba. Patients with age < 50 years had a lower prevalence of genotype B than patients with age >51 years (32.5% vs. 41% , respectively,P=0.028). Compared to patients with genotype C, patientswith genotype B had a higher cumulative rate (P=0.018) and younger age (40.1 vs. 34.2 years, respectively, P=0.018) of HBeAg seroconversion. There were no differences in the HBV DNA levels between patients with genotypes B and C, and with wild-type and mutants of CP and precore regions. By multivariate analysis, patients with genotype C and with CP mutations had higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.Conclusions B and C were the two most common HBV genotypes in Hong Kong. The former had a higher chance of earlier HBeAg seroconversion and lower ALT levels. The prevalence of genotype B was lower in patients with age < 50, probably related to influx of immigrants from China Mainland since 1949.
