OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the relationship between the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, core promoter/precore stop codon mutations, and histological liver damage among hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients. METHODS: Liver biopsy specimens of 55 HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients were studied. A histological activity index was scored for degree of necroinflammation (HAI-NI) and fibrosis (HAI-F) as described by Knodell et al. HBV DNA was determined by a cross-linking assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the core promoter/precore region and the S region. PCR-positive samples were directly sequenced for core promoter and precore mutations and examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism for genotyping. RESULTS: Forty-one males and 14 females at a median age of 43 were studied. HBV DNA was detectable in 32 (58%) and 37 (67%) patients by the cross-linking assay and PCR, respectively, at the time of liver biopsy. The median (range) HAI-NI and HAI-F scores were 5 (1-10) and 2 (0-4), respectively. HBV DNA detectable by either the cross-linking assay or PCR was associated with a higher HAI-NI score. Eleven and 31 patients had genotypes B and C HBV, respectively. Genotype C HBV was associated with higher HAI-NI than genotype B HBV. Core promoter mutations and precore stop codon mutation were detected in 74% and 40% patients, respectively, but they were not associated with higher HAI-NI or HAI-F scores. CONCLUSIONS: Detectable HBV DNA and genotype C HBV, but not core promoter or precore stop codon mutations, are associated with more severe liver damage in HBeAg-negative patients.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the relationship between the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, core promoter/precore stop codon mutations, and histological liver damage among hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients. METHODS: Liver biopsy specimens of 55 HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infectedpatients were studied. A histological activity index was scored for degree of necroinflammation (HAI-NI) and fibrosis (HAI-F) as described by Knodell et al. HBV DNA was determined by a cross-linking assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the core promoter/precore region and the S region. PCR-positive samples were directly sequenced for core promoter and precore mutations and examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism for genotyping. RESULTS: Forty-one males and 14 females at a median age of 43 were studied. HBV DNA was detectable in 32 (58%) and 37 (67%) patients by the cross-linking assay and PCR, respectively, at the time of liver biopsy. The median (range) HAI-NI and HAI-F scores were 5 (1-10) and 2 (0-4), respectively. HBV DNA detectable by either the cross-linking assay or PCR was associated with a higher HAI-NI score. Eleven and 31 patients had genotypes B and C HBV, respectively. Genotype C HBV was associated with higher HAI-NI than genotype B HBV. Core promoter mutations and precore stop codon mutation were detected in 74% and 40% patients, respectively, but they were not associated with higher HAI-NI or HAI-F scores. CONCLUSIONS: Detectable HBV DNA and genotype C HBV, but not core promoter or precore stop codon mutations, are associated with more severe liver damage in HBeAg-negative patients.
Authors: Vincent Wai-Sun Wong; Grace Lai-Hung Wong; Chi-Hang Tse; Lilly K W Yuen; Hoi-Yun Chan; Stephen A Locarnini; Henry Lik-Yuen Chan Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2011-07-09 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Henry Lik-Yuen Chan; May Ling Wong; Alex Yui Hui; Lawrence Cheung-Tsui Hung; Francis Ka-Leung Chan; Joseph Jao-Yiu Sung Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Henry Lik-Yuen Chan; May-Ling Wong; Alex Yui Hui; Angel Mei-Ling Chim; Ada Mei-Ling Tse; Lawrence Cheung-Tsui Hung; Francis Ka-Leung Chan; Joseph Jao-Yiu Sung Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 5.742