摘要
Background/Aims: Longitudinal studies on the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and reactivation of hepatitis B and progression to cirrhosis were very rare. Methods: Liver biochemistry, virological markers and ultrasound were monitored in 202 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)positive patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at baseline for 3- 20 (average 10.8) years, and the outcome was correlated with HBV genotypes. Results: There were 150 genotype B and 52 genotype C patients. Hepatitis activity during the HBeAg- positive phase showed no significant difference. However, genotype B was associated with a significantly earlier and higher rate of HBeAg seroconversion. HBeAg seroconversion correlated with age at entry for genotype B and with ALT levels for genotype C. Reactivation of hepatitis B was significantly more common in genotype C patients. Five genotype B and 10 genotype C patients progressed to cirrhosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that genotype C (P=0.03) and reactivation of hepatitis B (P=0.0004) were independent factor predictive of cirrhosis. Conclusions: Rate and factors of HBeAg seroconversion, and rate of reactivation of hepatitis B differed between genotype B and genotype C patients. Genotype C and reactivation of hepatitis B were associated with increased risk of cirrhosis.
Background/Aims: Longitudinal studies on the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and reactivation of hepatitis B and progression to cirrhosis were very rare. Methods: Liver biochemistry, virological markers and ultrasound were monitored in 202 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)positive patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at baseline for 3- 20 (average 10.8) years, and the outcome was correlated with HBV genotypes. Results: There were 150 genotype B and 52 genotype C patients. Hepatitis activity during the HBeAg- positive phase showed no significant difference. However, genotype B was associated with a significantly earlier and higher rate of HBeAg seroconversion. HBeAg seroconversion correlated with age at entry for genotype B and with ALT levels for genotype C. Reactivation of hepatitis B was significantly more common in genotype C patients. Five genotype B and 10 genotype C patients progressed to cirrhosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that genotype C (P=0.03) and reactivation of hepatitis B (P=0.0004) were independent factor predictive of cirrhosis. Conclusions: Rate and factors of HBeAg seroconversion, and rate of reactivation of hepatitis B differed between genotype B and genotype C patients. Genotype C and reactivation of hepatitis B were associated with increased risk of cirrhosis.
